Scientists believe that a deadly pandemic is possible based on studies of the 1918 "Spanish flu" virus.

The genetic mutations in the recently recreated, 1918 flu are similar to those seen in the H5N1 avian flu virus killing tens of millions of poultry and some people in Asia

President George W. Bush is prompting Congress to consider using the military in the event of an avian flu epidemic.

Mr

Health ministry officials announce Indonesia is suspected of having more than 50 cases of bird flu. While the announcement includes a reduction of the death rate from five to six, experts are weary of the possibility the H5N1 bird flu virus could set off a pandemic if it gains the ability to be passed easily among people.

Bird flu has killed 65 people in four Asian nations since late 2003 and has been found in birds throughout Russia and Europe. It has the ability to kill one out of every two infected people

A biotech firm that makes an inhaled flu vaccine is signing up with the U.S. government to try to create a version of its vaccine for avian flu.

Maryland-based MedImmune will work with top U.S. government flu experts to develop a new vaccine against the H5N1 avian flu, which has killed 65 people in Asia since 2003

Two more people have died from bird flu in Indonesia, bringing the death toll in the area to six.

The deadly disease has already killed dozens of people across Asia, and resulted in the culling of millions of birds