The serratia contamination that closed the Liverpool plant was detected
in 2001 and 2002 (as well as 2003 and 2004). It was clearly a disaster
waiting to happen.

Speaking of the vaccine shortage, avian flu has been found in Maryland

http://www.recombinomics.com/maryland_avian_flu.html

on the delmarva penninsula.

Interestingly, the only place in the US with widespread human flu is
the delmava penninsula. Since influenza evolves via recombination

http://www.recombinomics.com/viral_evolution.html

having avian and human influenza circulating in the same place is not a
good idea.

However, the virus causing the problems in Asia is H5N1, and if
acquires the ability to efficient transmit from human to human, it
could make the 1918 pandemic look like a walk in the park
http://www.recombinomics.com/pandemic_potential.html