pandemic concern

Aug. 23 - One of three books said to be on President George W. Bush's summer reading list is about the flu pandemic of 1918 that claimed millions of lives.

A likely reason for his interest is the very real fear that history could repeat itself.

One terrifying scenario involves the bird flu that has led to the slaughter of scores of chickens in Asia evolving into a worldwide plague killing massive numbers of humans with no defense against it.

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh says the threat is serious. "After a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of suicidal terrorists, I'd put the prospect of some kind of pandemic involving the flu right up there at the top of things we ought to be concerned about."

One Washington-based health group estimates even a mid-level pandemic would sicken 1.4 million people in Indiana, send 51,000 or more to the hospital and kill nearly 12,000.