Flu pandemic 'could kill up to 150 million people'

A top UN public health expert warned today that a new flu pandemic is expected at any time and could kill anywhere between 5 million and 150 million people - depending on action taken now to control the bird flu epidemic sweeping through Asia.

Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organisation called on governments to take immediate steps to address the threat at a news conference following his appointment as the new UN co-ordinator for avian and human influenza.