A flu pandemic could kill 71 million people worldwide?

[Oldtimer]

This Scary Headline on Bloomberg:
"Flu Pandemic May Cost World Economy Up to $3 Trillion (Update3)
By Jason Gale
Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- A flu pandemic could kill 71 million people worldwide and push the global economy into a ``major global recession'' costing more than $3 trillion, according to raised estimates
by the World Bank of a worst-case scenario"

According to the World Bank the current world population is estimated at 6.7 Billions.

Death rate is estimated at 1% of the population i.e about 67 Millions will die in current year.
Growth rate of population estimated by world Bank is 1.1% .
World GDP estimated by WORLD BANK for the year 2007 US$ 54,347,038 MILLIONS.

So a loss of US$3 Trillions will be about 5.5%

During the last 10 days the Major Governments have
guaranteed more than US$3 Trillions for the financial sector.

As it is the world recession will reduce GDP by 2-3% next year.

Why these scary headlines?
Does it make sense?

It is same like SARS. Less people died in Hong Kong
from Flu during 2003 than a normal year.

Let us have your view.

[deleteduser]

News outlets are in the business of scaring people, especially in America