Bird flu continues to spread in Europe and other countries. It is now in 31 countries and shows no let up in the speed that it is spreading. The good news is we are not seeing large number of human infections and no evidence yet of human to human transmission. But with the continued spread and more chances of humans being exposed the possibility of the virus mutating also increases. If that happens a flu pandemic will spread around the world within 3 months. A vaccine will take up to six months to be ready and then who knows how long to get it into high volume production and distributed?

Factory farms in Asia blamed for pandemic
Bird flu here - but no threat
British bird flu death sets cat among pigeons
Croatia confirms first bird flu case in capital
Bird Flu: Government announces nationwide cull of cattle

BIRD FLU 'WILL KILL ORGANIC FARMING'
TONY Blair's top scientific adviser yesterday warned that the arrival of bird flu may herald the end of organic and free-range poultry.

Cats may drag home bird flu
Bird flu gains ground in Africa and Europe
Bird Flu: Answers to the key questions
FDA Issues Guide for Bird Flu Test
Brazil launches bird flu program
Nigeria: Villagers Arrested for Eating Carcasses of Bird Flu ...
Gaza Bird Flu Causes Poultry Shortage
Are we ready for a possible pandemic?
Bird flu inspections continue in Britain
How scientists are preparing for a pandemic
Man suspected of bird flu hospitalised in Ahmedabad
PANDEMIC FEARS AS DEATH TOLL GOES UP BIRD FLU IN SCOTLAND HUMAN ...
Bird flu fears spark fresh culling in MP
Egypt: Struggles To Combat Spread Of Bird Flu
Spain still on alert for bird flu
Ireland stays free of bird flu but awaits further test results
Fears that bird flu panic will lead owners to dump pets
Garden birds threat 'short on science'

WHO: 57 nations short of skilled health workers
And what happens during a pandemic? The poorest countries will be the hardest hit. They are already suffering with a lack of medical care.

UN help sought for stockpiling flu vaccine
Detailed plans in place for WA victims of bird flu

Researchers: Pandemic could infect half of US population
Left unchecked, a global outbreak of bird flu could infect 54 percent of the US population and peak in just over two months, while a less-contagious strain could affect a third of the population and peak after 117 days, a new report says

ADB says avian flu pandemic threatens developing Asia
UK Flu Pandemic Could Cost Economy 7.7 Bln Pounds, CEBR Says
Singapore to distribute handbook on flu pandemic to households
Two steps from the nightmare of a pandemic
Govt changes laws to prepare for flu pandemic
Govt plans to close NZ borders if influenza pandemic strikes

Pandemic would rock global economy, warn IMF chiefs
Bird flu pandemic could lead to global recession - ADB
More like it would lead to a global depression. Economic recovery would not be as quick as they make it out to be. How do you replace trained factory workers in Asia and key managment employees in large companies who may of died? What about small businesses that won't be able to open their doors because they couldn't survive 12 weeks without customers? What about millions of people who had no income for weeks and can't pay their bills? The markets will not recover overnight. The economic consequences of a pandemic will be catastrophic.

Pandemic among humans unlikely, experts believe
This would be the best news. That it never mutates.

50 mln Russians may be affected by H5N1 pandemic - chief doctor
H5N1 in the poultry industry: A pandemic already here
Cats could fuel bird flu pandemic
Blair: Brits to Remain Calm Against Possible Bird Flu Pandemic
The Bird Flu Pandemic Blues: Is the US Prepared for Outbreak?
Lapses revealed in flu pandemic drill
How companies can cope during a pandemic

Business continuity planning for pandemic scenarios
Good article on business planning

Mass graves planned if bird flu pandemic reaches Britain
Schools are key in pandemic plans
Schools need to plan for possible pandemic
Hospitals planning for pandemic
Bird-flu pandemic could hurt life insurers
US, Canada and Mexico agree joint pandemic planning actions
GlaxoSmithKline starts human trials of H5N1 pandemic flu vaccine ...
Bird Flu Watchers Worry Pandemic May Swamp Hospitals (Update2)
Canadians main defence in first six months of pandemic: hand ...
Bird-Flu Pandemic Would Likely Start in California
Businesses lack plans for pandemic

Government launches site on flu pandemic
Official Canadian pandemic site

Bird flu pandemic could cost insurers $53 billion
Hospitality sector least prepared for bird flu pandemic: survey