Pandemic diseases such as Avian flu are not 'normal' business continuity risks - they are typically far more sudden in nature, have a universal, disruptive impact on business and the economy, and impact larger numbers of people.

Serious outbreaks can severely test existing Business Continuity Management (BCM) plans. During a potential pandemic, the ability of an organisation to respond quickly and effectively will make a huge difference to the success of protecting staff, profits and reputation.

Critical questions you need to consider

• Have you considered the features of a pandemic disease and why it is different to a conventional business continuity risk?

• Have you considered the impact of an outbreak on your organisation and how you might recover - many existing business recovery plans are not well suited to situations where a proportion of the workforce is lost or there is a major disruption of the national and/or global environment.

• Have you reviewed existing risk management and BCM plans and amended them based on an interpretation of the renewed threat?

• Do you have an Emergency Response Team?

• Do you have a Business Recovery Team that can cope with the specific problems thrown up by an outbreak?