Avian Influenza Prediction Market :: Prospectus

At 12:00 noon, CST on Tuesday, February 13, 2007, multiple markets will open for trading in contracts based on H5N1 influenza (avian influenza). This document describes these contracts and the structure of the markets in which they will be traded.

MARKET CURRENCY

Transactions in the Avian Influenza Prediction Market will be denominated in Avian Flu dollars (Avian$), the unit of exchange for this market. Each account will be endowed with Avian$25.00 for each set of contracts when trading is initiated. Traders who participate at least once a week will also receive a weekly bonus of Avian$4 per contract set.* Traders must trade in a contract set at least once during that week to qualify.

Once each year, contract endowments plus net trading profits for completed markets will be converted to US$, with the proceeds either distributed to the holder of that account as an educational grant or contributed to ProMED Mail, at the option of the trader. The exchange rate for the Avian$ to US$ conversion will be 10 to 1 (e.g. Avian$10 converts to US$1.)

CONTRACTS

Contracts to be traded in the market are based on different aspects of avian influenza activity around the world during specific time periods outlined in each contract. Contracts will be introduced in sets of two, one for each possible event outcome. For example, the first set of contracts to be introduced for trading in this market is as follows:

Code Contract Description
HUMAN300_Y Avian$1 if the number of WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 is 300 or more before July 1, 2007; Avian$0 otherwise
HUMAN300_N Avian$1 if the number of WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 is less than 300 before July 1, 2007; Avian$0 otherwise

Other market sets will be introduced and will follow a similar naming convention that illustrates the contract objective. In this case, "HUMAN300_Y" denotes this contract pertains to humans and specifies 300 incidences. The contract durations will vary across contracts. Typical durations will be from 1 to 6 months.

Contracts will be available to trade anytime between the posting and closing date. The schedule for markets to be conducted for 2007 appears in the appendix.

Contract pairs for related issues will appear on the same market page. The initial grouping of contract sets will include the following:

Market Group Description
AFPolicyJul7 Contracts related to Avian Influenza policy as established by relevant national and international agencies. The terminal date of this contract group is July 1, 2007.
AFHumNumJul7 Contracts related to the number of human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza as confirmed by relevant international agencies. The terminal date of this contract group is July 1, 2007.
AFHumLocJul7 Contracts related to the location of human cases of H5N1 Avian Influenza as confirmed by relevant international agencies. The terminal date of this contract group is July 1, 2007.
AFAnimalJul7 Contracts related to the spread of H5N1 Avian Influenza among the bird an animal poplulation. The terminal date of this contract group is July 1, 2007.

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CONTRACT LIQUIDATION VALUES

These are "Binary Contracts", meaning there are two possible liquidation values, zero and one, for each contract. Within a set of contracts for a particular market, the contract that denotes the actual outcome of an event within the contract duration will have a liquidation value of Avian$1; all other contracts in that set will have values of Avian$0. (On the rare occasion when the outcome of an event cannot be verified, all trading for that market will be undone and trader's accounts will be adjusted accordingly.)

For example, if the WHO announces fewer than 300 confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans before July 1, 2007, the contract, HUMAN300_N, will be liquidated for Avian$1 and the HUMAN300_Y contract will have a value of Avian$0. If the WHO announces that there were 300 or more confirmed cases by that date, the liquidation value of the HUMAN300_N contract will be Avian$0 and the HUMAN300_Y contract will have a value of Avian$1.

Official sources for avian influenza results will be specified in the definitions of the contracts. (See the contract listing in the Appendix.) Generally those sources will be either WHO or WAHID. Those reports can be viewed at the http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ and at http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=weekly_report_index&admin=0.

Liquidation formulas can be viewed while you are logged into the IEM trading screen by clicking on the market name at the upper right-hand corner of the market window. The judgment of the managers of the Avian Influenza Prediction Markets will be final in resolving questions of interpretation and typographical or clerical errors.

CONTRACT BUNDLES

Fixed-price bundles consisting of one share of each of the binary contract pair in this market can be purchased from or sold to the trading system at any time. The price of each bundle is Avian$1. Because only one outcome will be announced, the total payoff from holding a bundle consisting of one of each contract until the market closes is Avian$1.

To buy or sell fixed-price bundles from the exchange, use the "Market Orders" option from the trading console. For example, select the option "HUMAN300 (buy at fixed price)" from the Market Orders list to buy bundles. Select the " HUMAN300 (sell at fixed price)" option to sell bundles. Purchases will be charged to your cash account and sales will be credited to your cash account.

Bundles consisting of one share of each of the contracts in this market may also be purchased and sold at current aggregate market prices rather than the fixed price of Avian$1.00. To buy a market bundle at current ASK prices, use the "Market Order" option as above but select the option " HUMAN300 (buy at market prices)". To sell a bundle at current BID prices, select the option " HUMAN300 (sell at market prices)".

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MARKET OPEN AND CLOSE

Initial contract sets will open for trading on February 13, 2007 at 12:00 PM CST. Additional sets will open as time proceeds. An up-to-date list of current contracts will be available as an appendix to this prospectus and will include a specification of the trading period for each contact set.

TRADING RIGHTS AND MARKET ACCESS

Participation is restricted to registered traders, and registration is by invitation only. Invitations will be extended to members of the medical community and others who may have particular expertise with avian influenza. All participating traders must be members of ProMED Mail. Any person interested in participating may indicate that interest by following the instructions on the join the market page on the project web site. If an account is approved by the market managers, a trader ID and password will be created and returned to the applicant by email. (Geographic location and professional relevance are among the factors considered in application approval.) For traders with open accounts, access to the market is achieved by pointing a web browser to http://fluprediction.uiowa.edu/trader-login.html and following the login instructions found there.

TRADING SYSTEM AND TRADING RULES

Transactions on the Influenza Prediction Markets are executed either directly by the trader using a real-time web based system operating over the Internet or through an "electronic broker". In the latter case, traders complete and submit an order form indicating their beliefs about the avian influenza event in question; an automated procedure then translates those beliefs into market actions and submits the resulting market orders to the trading system. The system, called Web Exchange (WebEx), is maintained by the Health Prediction Markets project in the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business and Carver College of Medicine. To access the trading system, an enrolled trader uses a web browser on any computer connected to the Internet. The URL for trader access to the market is http://fluprediction.uiowa.edu/trader-login.html. The market operates in the Central time zone and is open for trading around the clock.

MARKET MANAGERS

The Iowa Health Prediction Market is a joint research project involving members of the Carver College of Medicine and the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. Contact information for managers of the market can be found here.

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Appendix:  Contract List, Avian Influenza (H5N1) Market

(Note that contract descriptions in the table below are generic; they apply to a multiple contracts introduced over time, which differ in certain parameters such as dates and counts. Click on the Contract Number to be taken to an explanation of the contract, sources of information, and background information.)

Market Contract Number Contract Description Contract Name Open Date Close Date
AFPolicy 1.1 Avian$1 if Phase Four of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period is announced before specified date; Avian$0 otherwise. WHO4_Y
WHO4Jan8_Y
WHO4Jul8_Y
WHO4Jan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
7/5/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
7/1/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if Phase Four of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period is NOT announced before specified date; Avian$0 otherwise. WHO4_N
WHO4Jan8_N
WHO4Jul8_N
WHO4Jan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
7/5/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
7/1/2008
1/1/2009
AFPolicy 1.2 Avian$1 if Phase Five of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period is announced before before specified date; Avian$0 otherwise. WHO5_Y 2/13/2007 7/1/2007

Avian$1 if Phase Five of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period is NOT announced before specified date; Avian$0 otherwise. WHO5_N 2/13/2007 7/1/2007
AFPolicy 1.3 Avian$1 if the World Health Organization issues an emergency travel advisory relating to H5N1 from the opening date through the closing date of the contract; Avian$0 otherwise. WHOTJan8_Y
WHOTJul8_Y
WHOTJan9_Y
9/21/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/08
12/31/2007
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if the World Health Organization does NOT issue an emergency travel advisory relating to H5N1 from the opening date through the closing date of the contract; Avian$0 otherwise. WHOTJan8_N
WHOTJul8_N
WHOTJan9_N
9/21/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/08
12/31/2007
06/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFHumNum 2.1 Avian$1 if the number of WHO-confirmed human cases of H5N1 is N or greater before specified date; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN300_Y
H350Jan8_Y
H400Jan8_Y
H400Jul8_Y
H450Jan9_Y
2/13/2007
5/24/2007
7/5/2007
12/15/2007
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
1/1/2008
6/30/2008

Avian$1 if the number of WHO-confirmed human cases of H5N1 is less than N before specified date; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN300_N
H350Jan8_N
H400Jan8_N
H400Jul8_N
2/13/2007
5/24/2007
7/5/2007
12/15/2007
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
AFHumNum 2.2 Avian$1 if the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during the first specified month is greater than the number of cases during the previous month; Avian$0 otherwise. FEB>JAN_Y
Jun>May7_Y
Jul>Jun7_Y
Aug>Jul7_Y
2/13/2007
5/24/2007
5/24/2007
7/5/2007
7/1/2007
7/1/2007
8/1/2007
9/1/2007

Avian$1 if the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during the first specified month is less than or equal to the number of cases during the previous month; Avian$0 otherwise. FEB>JAN_N
Jun>May7_N
Jul>Jun7_N
Aug>Jul7_N
2/13/2007
5/24/2007
5/24/2007
7/5/2007
7/1/2007
7/1/2007
8/1/2007
9/1/2007
AFHumNum 2.3 Avian$1 if the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during quarter x of year 200y is greater than the number of cases during the corresponding quarter of the previous year; Avian$0 otherwise. 1Q8>1Q7_Y
2Q8>2Q7_Y
3Q8>3Q7_Y
12/15/2007
03/12/2008
06/30/08
03/31/2008
06/30/2008
09/30/2008

Avian$1 if the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during quarter x of year 200y is less than or equal to the number of cases during the corresponding quarter of the previous year; Avian$0 otherwise. 1Q8>1Q7_N
2Q8>2Q7_N
3Q8>3Q7_N
12/15/2007
03/12/2008
06/30/08
03/31/2008
06/30/2008
09/30/2008
AFHumLoc 3.1 Avian$1 if a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in North or South America occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_AM_Y
HLAMJan8_Y
HLAMJul8_Y
HLAMJan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in North or South America does NOT occur between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_AM_N
HLAMJan8_N
HLAMJul8_N
HLAMJan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFHumLoc 3.2 Avian$1 if a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Europe, as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_EU_Y
HLEUJan8_Y
HLEUJul8_Y
HLEUJan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if NO new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Europe, as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_EU_N
HLEUJan8_N
HLEUJul8_N
HLEUJan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFHumLoc 3.3 Avian$1 if a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Hong Kong occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_HK_Y
HLHKJan8_Y
HLHKJul8_Y
HLHKJan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if NO new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Hong Kong occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_HK_N
HLHKJan8_N
HLHKJul8_N
HLHKJan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFHumLoc 3.4 Avian$1 if a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Singapore occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_SG_Y
HLSGJan8_Y
HLSGJul8_Y
HLSGJan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if NO new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Singapore occurs between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HUMAN_SG_N
HLSGJan8_N
HLSGJul8_N
HLSGJan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFHumLoc 3.5 Avian$1 if a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Africa, as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, occurs from the open date through the close date of the contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HLAFJan8_Y
HLAFJul8_Y
HLAFJan9_Y
9/21/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
12/31/2007
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if NO new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Africa, as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, occurs from the open date through the close date of the contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HLAFJan8_N
HLAFJul8_N
HLAFJan9_N
9/21/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
12/31/2007
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFHumLoc 3.6 Avian$1 if the total number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 outside both Indonesian and Vietnam will be greater than or equal to the total number of new cases in the two countries from the open date through the close date of the contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HLIVJan8_Y
HLIVJul8_Y
HLIVJan9_Y
9/21/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
12/31/2007
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if the total number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 outside both Indonesian and Vietnam will be less than the total number of new cases in the two countries from the open date through the close date of the contract; Avian$0 otherwise. HLIVJan8_N
HLIVJul8_N
HLIVJan9_N
9/21/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
12/31/2007
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFAnimal 4.1 Avian$1 if a new HIGH-PATH H5N1 case is confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in a native, non-captive avian species in North or South America between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. NATWILD_Y
WILDJan8_Y
WILDJul8_Y
WILDJan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if NO new HIGH-PATH H5N1 case is confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in a native, non-captive avian species in North or South America between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. NATWILD_N
WILDJan8_N
WILDJul8_N
WILDJan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFAnimal 4.2 Avian$1 if a new HIGH-PATH H5N1 case is confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in commercial poultry in North or South America between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. POULTRY_Y
CPOLJan8_Y
CPOLJul8_Y
CPOLJan9_Y
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009

Avian$1 if NO new HIGH-PATH H5N1 case is confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in commercial poultry in North or South America between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. POULTRY_N
CPOLJan8_N
CPOLJul8_N
CPOLJan9_N
2/13/2007
6/22/2007
12/15/2007
6/30/2008
7/1/2007
1/1/2008
6/30/2008
1/1/2009
AFAnimal 4.3 Avian$1 if a new H5N1 case in domesticated mammals outside the continent of Asia is confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. MAMMAL_Y
MAMLJan8_Y
2/13/2007
TBA
7/1/2007
1/1/2008

Avian$1 if NO new H5N1 case in domesticated mammals outside the continent of Asia is confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) between open and close date of contract; Avian$0 otherwise. MAMMAL_N
MAMLJan8_N
2/13/2007
TBA
7/1/2007
1/1/2008

* An update of the prospectus occurred on November 26th, 2007 to account for a doubling of the weekly bonus from Avian$2 to Avian$4 per contract set.

1.1 Will Phase Four of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period be announced before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon the closing date specified in the contract or an announcement of the Phase Four Pandemic Alert Period by the WHO during the contract period, whichever comes first. Currently, Phase Three of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period has been announced. Phase Three is defined as: “Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact.”

In order for Phase Four of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period to be met, the avian flu situation must involve the following: “Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human spread but spread is highly localised, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans. “

The current status of the Pandemic Alert Period will be determined by the UI Health Prediction Market managers according to information provided by the WHO at the following website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html. Continuing information on the current Pandemic Alert Period can be found at this address. The designation of phases, including decisions on when to move from one phase to another, is made by the Director General of WHO.

A complete summary of phases of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/WHO_CDS_CSR_GIP_2005_5/en/index.html

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1.2 Will Phase Five of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period be announced before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon the closing date specified in the contract or an announcement of the Phase Five Pandemic Alert Period by the WHO during the contract period, whichever comes first. Currently, Phase Three of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period has been announced. Phase Three is defined as: “Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact.”

In order for Phase Five of the WHO-defined Pandemic Alert Period to be met, the avian flu situation must involve the following: “Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localised, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly more adaptive to humans, but may not be fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk).”

The current status of the Pandemic Alert Period will be determined by the UI Health Prediction Market managers according to information provided by the WHO at the following website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html. Continuing information on the current Pandemic Alert Period can be found at this address. The designation of phases, including decisions on when to move from one phase to another, is made by the Director General of WHO.

A complete summary of phases of alert in the WHO global influenza preparedness plan can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/WHO_CDS_CSR_GIP_2005_5/en/index.html

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1.3 Will the World Health Organization issue an emergency travel advisory relating to H5N1 from the opening date through the closing date of the contract?

Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

A Information regarding previous Emergency Travel Advisories issued by the WHO can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/sars/archive/2003_03_15/en/.

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2.1 Will N cases of H5N1 in humans be confirmed by WHO before a specified closing date?

“N”, the target number of cases, and the closing date will be specified in the final definition of the contracts. Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon that closing date or WHO confirmation of the Nth case of Avian Influenza A/H5N1 in humans during the contract period, whichever comes first. The UI Health Prediction Market managers will determine liquidation values of this contract set based on information obtained from this WHO website. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of H5N1 Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically the date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms two days before the end of the contract period but is not hospitalized until 1 day after the contract period, the case will be added to the total count within the contract period.

Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, or does not confirm cases in a timely fashion, those cases will not be counted towards the total number of WHO confirmed cases for purposes of determining liquidation values. Once trading has ended in a set of contracts and liquidation values have been declared, those values will be regarded as final – they will not be changed even if a subsequent announcement by the WHO alters the outcome. Archived releases on the number of human cases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/index.html

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2.2 Will the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during the month B be greater than or equal to the total number of cases during month A?

The comparison months A and B will be specified in the final definition of the contracts. Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon announcement of the Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza (H5N1) reported to the WHO at the end of month B. The Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will determine liquidation of this contract based on comparison of the total cumulative number of WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during month B, with the total number of cases confirmed by the WHO in month A. The Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the total number of cases during a particular month. The date of earliest indication is typically date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by WHO. Totals for the preceding month will be available on the market website, as well as on the electronic broker screen. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms two days before the end of month A but is not hospitalized until 1 day of month B, the case will be added to the total count within the contract period.

Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, or does not confirm cases in a timely fashion, those cases will not be counted towards the total number of WHO confirmed cases for purposes of determining liquidation values. Once trading has ended in a set of contracts and liquidation values have been declared, those values will be regarded as final – they will not be changed even if a subsequent announcement by the WHO alters the outcome. Archived releases on the number of human cases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/index.html

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2.3 Will the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans during quarter x of year 200y be greater than the total number of cases during the corresponding quarter of the previous year?

The quarter and year will be specified in the final definition of the contracts. Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon announcement of the Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza (H5N1) reported to the WHO at the end of the specified quarter. In order to allow for lags in reporting, liquidation of these contracts will be delayed until the end of the month after the specified quarter. The number of cases reported by the last day of that month will be used as the official count for purposes of declaring liquidation values. The Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the total number of cases during a particular quarter. The date of earliest indication is typically date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the earliest of the following dates will be used: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by WHO. Totals by quarter will be posted on the market website and the electronic broker screen.

Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, or does not confirm cases in a timely fashion, those cases will not be counted towards the total number of WHO confirmed cases for purposes of determining liquidation values. Once trading has ended in a set of contracts and liquidation values have been declared, those values will be regarded as final – they will not be changed even if a subsequent announcement by the WHO alters the outcome. Archived releases on the number of human cases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/index.html

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3.1 Will the first WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in North or South America occur before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of this contract will occur upon the closing date specified in the final definition of the contract or an announcement by the WHO of the first case of avian influenza A/H5N1 in humans on either the continent of North America or South America during the contract period, whichever comes first. As of the opening of the Avian Influenza Prediction Market, no human cases of H5N1 have been confirmed by the WHO in North or South America. Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically the date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms on before the contract expires but is not hospitalized after the contract closing date; the case will be added to the total for the contract. Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, those cases will not be counted as WHO confirmed cases. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Maps of current geographic areas with confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza can be found at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

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3.2 Will a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Europe, as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, occur on or after a specified opening date of the contract but before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of this contract will occur upon the ending date of the contract or an announcement by the WHO of the first case of avian influenza A/H5N1 in humans in Europe during the contract period, whichever comes first. The opening and closing dates will be given in the final definitions of the contracts. As of the opening of the Avian Influenza Prediction Market, no human cases of H5N1 had been confirmed by the WHO in the region of Europe and Eurasia reported on by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by the WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms on before the contract expires but is not hospitalized after the contract closing date; the case will be added to the total for the contract. Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, those cases will not be counted as WHO confirmed cases. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Maps of current geographic areas with confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza can be found at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx A list of countries in the region reported on by the Who Regional Office for Europe can be found at: http://www.euro.who.int/countryinformation. Note that this list includes countries, such as Russia and Israel, which are not regarded as part of Europe in other contexts.

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3.3 Will the first WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Hong Kong occur before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur on the closing date specified in the final definition of the contract or an announcement by the WHO of the first case of H5N1 in humans in Hong Kong during the contract period, whichever comes first. As of the opening of the Avian Influenza Prediction Market, no human cases of H5N1 in Hong Kong had been confirmed by the WHO. Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically the date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by the WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms on before the contract expires but is not hospitalized after the contract closing date; the case will be added to the total for the contract. Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, those cases will not be counted as WHO confirmed cases. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Maps of current geographic affected areas with confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza can be found at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

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3.4 Will the first WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Singapore occur before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon the closing date specified in the final definition of the contract or an announcement by the WHO of the first case of avian influenza A/H5N1 in humans in Singapore during the contract period, whichever comes first. As of the opening of the Avian Influenza Prediction Market, no human cases of H5N1 in Singapore have been confirmed by the WHO. Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically the date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by the WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms on before the contract expires but is not hospitalized after the contract closing date; the case will be added to the total for the contract. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Maps of current geographic affected areas with confirmed cases of H5N1 avian influenza can be found at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

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3.5 Will a new WHO-confirmed human case of H5N1 in Africa, as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, occur from a specified opening date of the contract through a specified closing date?

Liquidation of this contract will occur upon the ending date of the contract or an announcement by the WHO of the an additional case of avian influenza A/H5N1 in humans in Africa during the contract period, whichever comes first. The opening and closing dates will be given in the final definitions of the contracts. Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by the WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms on before the contract expires but is not hospitalized after the contract closing date; the case will be added to the total for the contract. Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, those cases will not be counted as WHO confirmed cases. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

A list of countries in the region reported on by the Who Regional Office for Africa can be found at: http://www.who.int/about/regions/afro/en/. Note that countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Tunisia, which are regularly regarded as part of Africa in other contexts, are not included on this list. Occurrences in those countries will not affect payoff of this contract.

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3.6 Will the number of new WHO-confirmed cases of H5N1 in humans in the world except for Indonesia and Vietnam be greater than or equal to the total number of cases in the two countries from a specified opening date of the contract through a specified closing date?

Liquidation of the contract will be determined based on the WHO’s latest announcement of the avian influenza situation. The Iowa Health Prediction Market mangers will use the date of earliest indication of Avian Influenza as reported by the WHO to determine the date of WHO confirmation. The date of earliest indication is typically date of initial symptoms. In the event this information is not available, the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers will use the earliest of the following dates: date of treatment sought, date of testing sample drawn, date of sample test, date of death, date of announcement by the WHO. For example, if a patient first exhibits symptoms on before the contract expires but is not hospitalized after the contract closing date; the case will be added to the total for the contract. Also note that if the WHO does not receive test samples of suspected H5N1 infection for some cases, those cases will not be counted as WHO confirmed cases. Latest information and news releases can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

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4.1 Will a HIGH-PATH H5N1 case be confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in a native, non-captive avian species in North or South America before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon the closing date specified in the final definition of the contract or the announcement by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of a HIGH-PATH H5N1 case in a native, non-captive species on either the continent of North America or South America during the contract period, whichever comes first. As of the opening of the Avian Influenza Prediction Market, NO cases of HIGH-PATH H5N1 in a native, non-captive avian species have been confirmed in either North or South America. Determination of the occurrence of this event will be determined by the Iowa Health Prediction Market managers through release of information by the OIE, which can be found at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=weekly_report_index&admin=0.

“Native, non-captive avian species” refer to avian species that are not domesticated. Examples include shorebirds, ducks, and other waterfowl. There are two types of avian influenza (AI) that are identified as H5N1. A difference exists in the virus classification; one is low pathogenic (LPAI) and the other is highly pathogenic (HPAI). Low Pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI): LPAI occurs naturally in wild birds and can spread to domestic birds. In most cases it causes no signs of infection or only minor symptoms in birds. These strains of the disease pose little significant threat to human health, and are common in North and South America and around the world. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): HPAI spreads rapidly, has a higher death rate in birds than LPAI, and is often fatal in domestic avian species such as chickens and turkeys. As of the opening date of this market, HPAI H5N1 is not currently present in North or South America despite its rapid spread in other parts of the world. HPAI has been identified in wild and domestic avian species in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Maps of current geographic affected areas reporting confirmed occurrence of H5N1 avian influenza in wild avian species and poultry can be found at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

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4.2 Will a HIGH-PATH H5N1 case be confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in commercial poultry in North or South America before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon the closing date specified in the final definition of the contract or the announcement by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) of a HIGH-PATH H5N1 case in commercial poultry on either the continent of North America or South America during the contract period, whichever comes first. As of the opening of the Avian Influenza Prediction Market, NO cases of HIGH-PATH H5N1 in commercial poultry have been confirmed in either North or South America. Determination of the occurrence of this event will be determined by the UI Health Prediction Market managers through release of information by OIE, which can be found at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=weekly_report_index&admin=0.

Commercial poultry include domesticated fowl: chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, and game birds, except doves and pigeons, which are maintained primarily for commercial production of eggs and meat (according to the USDA). There are two types of avian influenza (AI) that are identified as H5N1. A difference exists in the virus classification; one is low pathogenic (LPAI) and the other is highly pathogenic (HPAI). Low Pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI): LPAI occurs naturally in wild birds and can spread to domestic birds. In most cases it causes no signs of infection or only minor symptoms in birds. These strains of the disease pose little significant threat to human health, and are common in the North and South America and around the world. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): HPAI spreads rapidly, has a higher death rate in birds than LPAI, and is often fatal in domestic avian species such as chickens and turkeys. HPAI H5N1is not currently present in North or South America despite its rapid spread in other parts of the world. HPAI has been identified in wild and domestic avian species in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Maps of current geographic affected areas reporting confirmed occurrence of H5N1 avian influenza in wild avian species and poultry can be found at: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/app/searchResults.aspx

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4.3 Will there be a new H5N1 case in domesticated mammals outside the continent of Asia confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) before a specified closing date?

Liquidation of contracts in this set will occur upon the closing date specified in the final definition of the contract or the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) confirmation of a NEW case of H5N1 in a domesticated mammal (e.g., cats, dogs) outside the continent of Asia during the contract period, whichever comes first. Cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in tigers and leopards (in zoo captivity) and domestic cats. H5N1 has been found in other mammalian species, although not domesticated, which include a civet, a mink, and a stone marten. Although cases in domesticated mammals have occurred outside the continent of Asia, this contract seeks information on NEW cases.

Determination of the occurrence of this event will be by the UI Health Prediction Market managers using release of information by the OIE, which can be found at: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=weekly_report_index&admin=0