A bird-flu pandemic is not an exhilarating prospect. Though the strains of the virus currently in circulation may not be as lethal to humans as those in the past (previous mortality rates have reached as high as 50 percent), we know it would be deadly to some and dangerous to many. But could we, as a society, handle it? Probably.

California officials have declared a state of emergency over the spread of bird flu, which is tearing through dairy cows in that state and causing sporadic illnesses in people in the U.S.

Korea has confirmed its 14th case of highly pathogenic bird flu for the season at a farm near Seoul, authorities said Sunday.

Nicole Harmon runs the Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Valparaiso, where three birds that were brought in over the past two weeks tested positive for avian flu.