The scientist who cried "WOLF"?

What do you think, have they snowed us on pandemic flu?

The New York Times has an article today called "A Pandemic That Wasn't but Might Be." You can read the whole thing at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/science/22flu.html?ref=science .

There are some who are beginning to step back from the ominous predictions about the coming pandemic.

But, while 2007 saw a decline in the numbers infected with bird flu, it's still with us, and it's still deadly.

One doc has been saying that he doesn't think H5 viruses will cause a pandemic, but he quickly adds that another subtype of the influenza virus very well could set off an international outbreak of a lethal flu.

In other reports, scientists are arguing about the stability of the virus that causes bird flu.

• If it is stable, it is less likely to change into a form that is more human-friendly.
• If it is not stable, it could change into what many fear would be the scourge of the 21st century - a new virus causes serious illness and that is easily transmitted from person to person.

Denial seems to be part of the human condition. No one wants to believe that a pandemic could turn life as we know it upside down. I wonder what will be written in the history books someday.

What do you think?

Are conditions ripe for a pandemic?

Vote today above!