Bird flu: a reality check

WITH the annual flu season bearing down and fears of bird flu in the news, public health officials are girding for battle. Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told Americans "we're preparing" for an outbreak of bird flu in the U.S. But, he added, Americans should be thinking instead about "something that confronts all of us right now" — regular influenza. He urged all Americans to get be vaccinated, noting that with more than 80 million doses of flu vaccine coming, shots should be available for all who want them.

By Melissa Healy

October 31, 2005