Avian Influenza: Pandemic Skeptics Warn Against Crying Wolf

The threat of a bird flu pandemic has only recently received international attention that many believe is necessary to prevent a catastrophic loss of human life. Skeptics are raising their voices, however, asserting that there is no reason to expect a bird flu pandemic spreading amongst human beings in the near future. One skeptic argues that a repeat of the overcrowded trenches of World War I would be necessary to make a flu outbreak as bad as the one in 1919. Another points out that no flu virus like H5N1 has ever caused a pandemic in humans, but argues that mankind does have good reason to fear a pandemic of another variety within the next two decades. All such skeptics worry that over-hyping the threat of H5N1 will mislead the public and erode the support crucial for the response to a real outbreak in the future. Their detractors, in turn, worry that the skeptics are unjustifiably optimistic. Despite their differences, however, both sides agree that preparing for a pandemic is essential. – YaleGlobal