During 2006, the continued global spread of H5N1 avian influenza into Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa has prompted many governments and global corporations to redouble their efforts in preparation for the possibility of pandemic influenza. The key uncertainty is whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will become efficiently transmissible from person to person.

In this call, Stephen Aldrich, James Newcomb, and Todd Harrington of bio-era summarize recent developments and their significance, while bio-era Senior Advisor and noted evolutionary biologist, Professor Paul Ewald, provides his insight on the probability of H5N1 suddenly becoming transmissible between humans, and if so, how virulent the resultant virus is likely to be.