Despite global concerns over the H1N1 virus, the vast majority of Canadian small business owners don't have a health-related contingency plan, according to a BMO Bank of Montreal survey.
The Harris/Decima survey found that 82% of small businesses and 84% of micro-businesses with less than five employees don't have a health-related contingency plan.
Nearly half of respondents without a plan said they felt they didn't need one.
While the Bank of Canada recently said the recession may be ending, several factors like the H1N1 pandemic could seriously disrupt one's business, said BMO Capital Markets Senior Economist Michael Gregory.
"Business owners must remain vigilant-even to the point of crafting contingency plans."
The B.C. Ministry of Health Services reported Monday that 102 new cases of H1N1 had been reported in B.C. since July 20, more than half found within the Fraser Health region.
More than 535 B.C. cases have been reported since the outbreak began in April, with 52% of cases found in the Fraser Health region and 25% in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Seventy-two have been found on Vancouver Island, 21 in the Interior and 24 in the Northern Health region.
The ministry said the vast majority of cases have been mild, with only two reported deaths.