» The outbreak of swine flu will increase uncertainty in the global economic outlook, which has shown some signs of recovery after the financial crisis.

» Economists from IMF and the World Bank said it is still hard to estimate the impact now but trade, tourism and aviation sectors would be directly hit by the spread of the flu.

» On April 19, the IMF forecasted that the global economy would decline 1.3 percent this year.

» The swine flu has killed up to 159 people in Mexico. Twenty-three countries have reported suspected cases.