Avian flu: Are we ready?

On the cover, a Shanghai commuter takes precautions during the 2003 avian influenza outbreak. It is nearly 40 years since the last worldwide influenza pandemic, and though these things don't run to an orderly timetable, many believe that it is only a matter of time — not much time at that — until the next one. This adds to the public health implications of the recent avian influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong in 1997, 1998 and 2002/3, and the continuing spread of avian influenza in poultry populations in Asia. This week, in a series of News Features and Commentary pieces, we cover the ground on one of the major health concerns of the day. Turn to page 399 for an overview, and to page 385 for editorial comment. The latest developments are covered in News, on pages 390 and 391.