Experts tell us that from the viewpoint of public health, Avian flu is the number one threat facing humanity. "When we think of major threats, the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation, rogue states and global terrorism. But another kind of threat is lurking, one from nature, not human—an avian flu pandemic. An outbreak could cause millions of deaths and threaten the security of governments around the world" (International Herald Tribune, June 7, emphasis added).

Did you ever take a moment to imagine the heartbreaking decisions physicians would be forced to make should we face a serious outbreak of avian flu? Who do they try to save and in what order—the medical and emergency personnel who can help others survive rather than the average person? The young over the old? Mothers with young children over the middle-aged?

Can you foresee the enormous numbers of people who may have to be quarantined? Can you imagine not being able to leave your dwelling to go to work or get groceries? Homes could very well become temporary prisons. The very people who keep our water and electrical power running may not be able to go to work. Did you ever consider that possibility?

Recent incursions of the virus into kinds of animals not previously infected may be an indication that the virus could soon mutate into a form easily transmissible to and between human beings. Most experts think that if the virus gets into the human family it will spread first from Southeast Asia. An infected person could board a plane in someplace like Bangkok and be in Chicago or London the next day. We need to think about what may lie ahead of us. (Source: International Herald Tribune.)