Fox News has a report giving a few details about the dismal state of emergency wards in hospitals in some of the US's biggest cities.

Emergency department facilities have declined by 14% through the past twelve years, leaving the US vulnerable to the aftermath of major terrorist attacks further weather events like Hurricane Katrin, or, perhaps worst of all, the full blown outbreak of the bird flu virus.

Few virologists doubt a massive flu pandemic is coming, its .a matter of not if, but when, as so many World Health Organisation officials keep reminding us.

Today, emergency departments in at least six major US cities are quickly being filled with flu-sick people. Some have already been forced to close their doors to new patients, unable to cope with those already inside the facilities.