The H5N1 threat spreads to Europe

This deadly strain of avian flu isn't confined to Asia anymore. It has apparently spread to Europe after it has been found in birds in Romania and Turkey:

EU states have been urged to stockpile anti-viral drugs after confirmation that the bird flu virus found in Turkey is the H5N1 strain dangerous to humans.

EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said the European Union should be ready for a potential flu pandemic.

It came after tests on dead birds from Kiziksa, north-west Turkey, confirmed the H5N1 strain. An outbreak in Romania is assumed to be the same, the EU said.

The commissioner confirmed the virus found in Turkey was the deadly strain, adding: "There is a direct relationship with viruses found in Russia, Mongolia and China."

This really scares me. How long before it starts jumping from human to human like the common cold? Can you imagine a cold so deadly that you can die in a few days and can be spread by breathing infected air or touching infected surfaces?

Unimaginable.