U.S. Anthrax Probe Reveals New Bird Flu Mishap, Widespread Safety Lapses

[AdHocSolver]

7. My question was prompted from having worked in hospitals.

Having observed what goes on behind the scenes, I am more pessimistic about the medical profession preventing, curing, or mitigating the effects of any pandemics once they got started.

The lax security at these research facilities is not limited to them.

According to wikipedia:

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In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated roughly 1.7 million hospital-associated infections, from all types of microorganisms, including bacteria, combined, cause or contribute to 99,000 deaths each year.
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link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosocomial_infection

I have seen higher estimates elsewhere, and I am not surprised.