Breeding birds pass their harmless strains to each other and the virus mutates.

'Contagion' should serve as a wake-up call not only about the germs, but perhaps more importantly about the frailty of governance, nationally and worldwide.

Without equity, pandemic battles will fail. Viruses will simply recirculate, and perhaps undergo mutations or changes that render vaccines useless, passing through the unprotected populations of the planet.

Measures we can take to handle pandemic flu if it emerges in the next six months are limited and bleak, but wise investments and strong science could well bolster the public health armamentarium considerably over the next five years.

At no time in history have we succeeded in making, in a timely fashion, a specific vaccine for more than 260 million people.

It looks to me like we're spending an awful lot of money per vaccinated American and an awful low amount on your essential surveillance.