avian flu could threaten IT security
I'm not so sure. There are two big factors that control how effective something like that can spread.
(1) How far an infected person can travel, spreading the infection, before they realize they are sick and stop.
(2) How much warning we get so we can take steps to avoid infected people, and how well we can isolate ourselves once we get warning.
Both of these are heavily affected by technology, one in a good way, one in a bad way.
The first factor is made worse by better transportation. For an infection that you can spread for even a day before getting sick, you can now travel thousands of miles to spread it before stopping. In 1918, you could only travel maybe hundreds of miles.
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However, communication is also much better now. In 1918, many people's first warning that something was spreading was when they got it.
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If avian flu, or anything similar, starts spreading, the first factor means that there will be outbreaks in many areas. However, because of faster warning, many more of us will be in a position to isolate ourselves for days or weeks, until it is under control. Keep in mind that even very infectious viruses generally do not survive long airborne...so as long as you can avoid getting near other people, you are safe--you don't need a clean room or an environmental suit or anything like that. Take one trip to the store, stock up on enough food for a week or two, and stay home, and you'll survive.
-- --Tim Smith
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