AN OUTBREAK of bird flu in the UK could cost companies up to a quarter of their staff, the head of the Government's national emergencies bureau has warned.

Businesses can expect between five and seven per cent of their staff to be out of the office sick, at home caring for members of their family or simply too afraid to travel into work in the wake of an outbreak of avian flu in Britain, Bruce Mann, head of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat said.

Over a three-month period, Mr Mann cautioned that up to 25 per cent of a firm's employees will likely be affected in this way. He also cautioned that it is not a question of "if, but when" an epidemic will occur.

Leading health campaigners have stressed that Government must do more to curb public anxiety about such an outbreak.

Medical journal The Lancet stressed in an editorial that it is necessary for the Government to be honest.

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