Using the Past to Predict the Future: The 1918 Spanish Flu and the Bird    In light of recent media and public attention to the possibility of the avian flu reaching the United States, several noted experts, researchers and physicians have given serious thought and attention to understanding the influenza virus, preventing it and how it would impact life in the US. Adrianne Noe, Ph.D., the museum's director, stands with Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger and Dr. Marc Siegel after their discussion on the influenza virus. The National Museum of Health and Medicine hosted a one-hour, midday discussion on the potential impact, and history of, the influenza virus, starting with the 1918 Spanish Flu and later addressing the current Avian Flu. The discussion was held by two leading experts in the field, both of whom have made recent tracks in closing in on the virus.   Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger Jeffrey Taubenberger, MD, PhD, Chief, Molecular Pathology, at the museum’s parent organization, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, discussed his groundbreaking work in which he was able to sequence the genetic code to the Spanish Flu, thus leading to a modern understanding of influenza viruses. He also provided a forecast of the possibility of pandemic influenza virus strains emerging in the future, based on recent research and developments. Marc Siegel, MD, a practicing internist, author and special writer to the Washington Post, followed with a focus on his new book, Dr. Marc Siegel "Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic." He addressed a specific strain of the virus, commonly known as the "bird flu" (Influenza A) and discussed the "culture of fear" that has developed in this country as a result of the introduction of the virus in Asia and Eastern Europe. He spoke of the need to develop a "language" with which to convey actual risk to the public. "Fear is a warning system and people are afraid of the unknown, such as the bird flu, which is why there is a "high risk" perception among the public. Using language that is safe and familiar will allow people to better adapt and understand the actualities of the bird flu." The museum’s director, Dr. Adrianne Noe, will acted as the moderator for the discussion, posing questions to the experts and taking questions from the audience. Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D., serves as Chief of the Department of Molecular Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC, a position he has held since 1994. He received his M.D. in 1986 and Ph.D. in 1987 from the Medical College of Virginia, and did a residency in Pathology at the National Cancer Institute. He holds dual board certifications in Anatomic Pathology and in Molecular Genetic Pathology from the American Board of Pathology and the American Board of Medical Genetics. His clinical interests are chiefly in the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic assays for neoplasia and infectious diseases. His research interests include influenza virus biology and surveillance, including characterization of the 1918 influenza virus that killed 40 million people. He is the recipient of numerous awards and is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings, including multiple keynote addresses. His work has been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Registry of Pathology. He is currently the principal investigator on two NIH grants to characterize the 1918 influenza virus. His 1918 influenza work has generated national and international publicity since 1997. Dr. Siegel is a prolific writer, an Associate Professor of Medicine and a Fellow in the Master Scholars Society at New York University School of Medicine, a weekly columnist for the New York Daily News, a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and Family Circle. He is a member of the board of contributors at USA Today. He appears frequently on CNN, the Fox News Channel, and the NBC Today Show.