bird flu from asia?

[Deckard]

OMFG everyone.... now's the time to PANdemIC!!!

In fairness to the BBC, they've been providing pretty measured coverage compared to their commercial rivals.

BBC medical correspondent Fergus Walsh says it is true that the word "pandemic" sounds scary. But it simply means a global epidemic of an infectious disease. He says it is not a signal that the virus is getting more virulent - only a measure of its geographical spread.

More from his BBC blog:

It will probably be months before most of us come into contact with the virus, and when we do, the vast majority will experience mild flu symptoms. It is not an indication that the virus is becoming more virulent. If those messages can be effectively communicated to the public, it could prevent a lot of unnecessary alarm.

(hyeah... right..... if that message has to go via the commercial news media, expect a LOT of unnecessary alarm)

/ EDIT: OK, that Sky news link was a couple of years old, but point stands.