While there is no sign that the outbreak in Turkey is speeding such development, it is a reminder of the wide threat that a general epidemic would pose.

ECONOMIST: Turkey takes fright as bird flu heads towards Europe | The

Zombies thrive in popular culture during times of recession, epidemic and general unhappiness.

WSJ: Why Zombies Are Everywhere

But these illnesses are, at least, known human illnesses, and are unlikely to unleash an epidemic in the general population.

ECONOMIST: Pigged out

Similarly, the Surgeon General just released a report noting that smoking among teens and adults had reached epidemic proportions.

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In general, they have reacted to the problem by spending time, money, and energy to deny that the obesity epidemic exists at all.

NPR: Rabid Reader: 'Fat Land' and U.S. Supersizing