- The latest global health scare - the Ebola virus disease (EVD) - has been placed under the spotlight following a step up in the number of cases/fatalities. In its latest statement dated yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that 1,603 cases and 887 deaths were recorded since the outbreak began in March 2014.

- The current occurrence – the largest and deadliest ever recorded – is centred in three West African nations, namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. There have been more than two dozen outbreaks over the past 40 years but each time, no more than 200 lives were taken and the spread had been brought under control.

- According to the WHO, the Ebola virus is introduced to the human population through close contact with infected wild animals (e.g. fruit bats). The virus is known to spread among humans through direct contact of bodily fluids (e.g.blood and secretions) of infected people. Ebola is not an air-, food-, or water-borne illness.

- That said, the ability for the virus to transmit between humans makes it rather potent and deadly. The current outbreak’s mortality rate is 70% although Ebola fatality rates are known to go as high as 90%. As a comparison, death rates of the recent H7N9 avian flu in China was 36% while that of the H1N1 swine flu in 2009 was 21%.

- We also understand that there is currently no licensed vaccine for Ebola, although several are being tested for clinical use.

- The two points above suggest that prevention would be the top priority for the authorities. As such, we believe that there would be a surge in demand for rubber gloves should the outbreak becomes a global pandemic. While the rise in consumption may mainly come from the affected African countries (where glove usage is relatively low), we expect some spill-over in demand from other developed countries as they engage in stockpiling activities (akin to the SARS crisis in 2003).

- We further opine that Top Glove Corp (HOLD, FV: RM4.80/share) and Supermax Corp (HOLD, FV: RM2.65/share) will be the largest beneficiaries of a rise in demand given:- (1) their lower capacity utilisation rates of 70%-75%; (2) higher proportion of latex gloves (the African region’s preferred material) in their product mix; as well as (3) relatively larger presence in the African continent (3%-4% revenue contribution).

- Pending further developments, we maintain our earnings forecasts and NEUTRAL stance on the sector. Our checks with the various managements revealed that there has yet to be any significant rise in glove demand.

- The positive impact of the Ebola outbreak on the domestic rubber gloves sector was also reflected in the jump in the rubber glove players’ share prices. In the last two days, the stocks have risen by an average of 5%, with Top Glove’s 5.4% and Supermax’s 9.7% leading the way.

Source: AmeSecurities