Renowned Bird Flu Expert Warns, "Be Prepared."

Source: ABC News

There is a 50/50 chance the Avian Bird Flu virus can morph into a form easily transmitted from human to human, according to Robert G. Webster, scientist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

March 14, 2006--Robert G. Webster is one of the few bird flu experts confident enough to answer the key question: Will the avian flu switch from posing a terrible hazard to birds to becoming a real threat to humans?

There are "about even odds at this time for the virus to learn how to transmit human to human," he told ABC's "World News Tonight." Webster, the Rosemary Thomas Chair at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., is credited with being the first scientist to find the link between human flu and bird flu.

Webster and his team of scientists are working to find a way to beat the virus if it morphs. He has even been dubbed the Flu Hunter.

Right now, H5N1, a type of avian influenza virus, has confined itself to birds. It can be transmitted from bird to human but only by direct contact with the droppings and excretions of infected birds.

I would heed this fellow's warning; after all, he is credited as the first scientist to find the link between human flu and bird flu.

It is believed that 50% of the population would die in a serious pandemic.

Frightening Warning

"Society just can't accept the idea that 50 percent of the population could die. And I think we have to face that possibility," Webster said. "I'm sorry if I'm making people a little frightened, but I feel it's my role."

Most scientists won't put it that bluntly, but many acknowledge that Webster could be right about the flu becoming transmissible among humans, even though they believe the 50 percent figure could be too high.

Think about this for a minute.

In a room of eight acquaintances you know, odds are four would not make it through the end of a pandemic.

I don't know about you, but just the thought scares the hell out of me.

[Avian Bird Flu], [bird flu], [epidemic], [what they aren't telling us]