Taipei - Taiwan shares plunged nearly 3 per cent Monday on concern about swine flu outbreak might slow the recovery of global economy. The TAIEX index fell 175.72 points, or 2.99 per cent, to close at 5,705.05.

Except for bio-technology shares which surged, all other shares dived as swine flu has killed at least 20 in Mexico and is suspected to be responsible for the deaths on many more. It might also have caused infections in some other countries, although Taiwan has not yet reported any cases.(dpa)