The worst forecasts seem to have been confirmed. Following on the heels of avian flu in Asia, swine flu has created alarm in Mexico, the U.S. and the around the world. AIDS, Ebola, and mad cow disease were also once emerging diseases. The first is now a world epidemic; the second is an anecdote; and the last is the cause of huge economic losses. Is this new epidemic cause for worldwide panic? Is the response from health agencies and governments adequate? How is all this affecting at-risk groups and poor countries? Read IPS.