Art> You are right about drafting in the military to run vital services and the WHO global preparedness plan suggests the same thing here: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ However I am just not sure how easy it will be with some of the complex control systems now in place where extensive training and knowledge are necessary to operate them.

Sue> I am guessing they are using WHO figures here:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/cases_table_2008_04_30/en/index.html

That, as you suggested, only considers confirmed cases. However I guess that is all they can work with. Hopefully you are right.