Preparing for a Possible Flu Pandemic

摘要

As the number of humans infected with the avian flu virus grows, so does the likelihood that a new pandemic strain will emerge with the ability to pass quickly from person to person. Nobody knows for sure how, or when, the virus will mutate to gain this ability, but if it does the consequences will probably be severe. No one has immunity against the H5N1 virus, which is looking most likely to be the one that mutates to cause the next pandemic.