H7N9 not only endanger human health but also hit stock marketing

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to discuss the correlation between daily reported H7N9 cases and stock price indices in China. METHODS: Information on daily reported H7N9 cases and stock market sectors indices between February 19, 2013 and March 31, 2014 were collected. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to describe the variation trend for the stock indices RESULTS: The daily reported number of H7N9 cases was associated with the closing price of the Avian Influenza Sector Index (P < 0.05) and the opening price of the Shanghai Composite Index (P = 0.029). The Avian Influenza Sector Index decreased with increasing of daily reported case number when daily reported cases ≤ 4. Case number was associated with the opening/closing price of the Chinese Traditional Medicine Sector Index, the Biological Product Sector Index, and the Biomedicine Sector Index (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: New or reemerging infectious diseases epidemic cause economic loss which is reflected in movements in stock prices.