Wary of an influenza pandemic

First, it was the Spanish (human) flu. Then followed a few major human flu outbreaks that had significant impact. Now, there’s a fear of influenza viruses from animals crossing the species barrier and resulting in human-to-human transmission, writes HOOI YOU CHING. 

IMAGINE a virus that spreads like the flu bug but kills like the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus. Scary stuff, isn’t it? Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of the emergence of a virus capable of such a lethal combination.