The Great Influenza Story aired: Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Two four-year old boys died of avian flu today, one in Thailand and one in Vietnam, bringing to 22 the number of deaths in Asia from the disease. 80 million chickens have been slaughtered to try to stop the spread of Avian Flu.
Avian Flu has not so far been a major problem in this country. Outbreaks of the virus in chickens in Delaware and New Jersey earlier this month appear to have been contained.
World health officials warn against complacency, however, considering the Flu of 1918. which killed as many as 40 million people worldwide. John Barry, author of the new book "The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History," joins Here and Now with lessons from a flu epidemic past.
Guests:
John Barry, author of the new book "The Great Influenza."
