WOULD THE US GO TO WAR TO CONTAIN A PANDEMIC BIRD FLU OUTBREAK?

"If anywhere in the world there appears to be person-to-person transmission, we will do everything we can do to quench the initial outbreaks. We will engage on the front lines."

US Centre For Disease Control's Director Julie M. Gerberding, speaking at the 2006 National Influenza Vaccine Summit, through late January, 2006.


GET READY FOR PANDEMIC, IT'S COMING, SAYS UN

David Nabarro, the UN co-ordinator on avian and human influenza :

"....please act as though it's going to start tomorrow. Don't keep putting off the difficult issues. It may not be months, it could mean we are going to get human-to-human transmission tomorrow."

VIRGIN'S BRANSON ADVISES "KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN FOR A YEAR" IF PANDEMIC FLU BREAKS OUT

Branson told the World Economic Forum special meeting on the Bird Flu Threat that a pandemic could ground up to 70% of aircraft, but would have a benefit in forcing world oil prices way back down again.

"You're just going to have to be strong enough to keep your head down for a year," Branson said.

Richard Branson, of course, has his own airline, a yatch and a spaceship.