Government warns on pandemic flu risk

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Britain is in more danger from a pandemic influenza outbreak than a terrorist attack, according to a government document.

The Cabinet Office has published its 'risk register' for the first time today, which provides information about what it considers to be the greatest threat to national security over the next five years.

According to the register, pandemic flu would have a much greater impact than coastal flooding and a major industrial accident.

Only attacks on transport, the country's electronic infrastructure and a terrorist attack on a crowded place are more likely.

Pandemic flu could claim between 50,000 and 750,000 lives, the document claims.