The MSM didn't report that there were 10,000 dead in NOLA. The MSM reported that Nagin, and Vittier, and the National Guard and the Coast Guard said there might be that many.
Same thing here. Reporters aren't sitting around making stuff up. The CDC, the WHO, the EU and the president of the United States are warning of a threat. Italy and other countries in southern Europe are closing their borders to poultry from Turkey and Romania. National governments are stockpiling vaccines. If you believe there's an overreaction, fair enough; but don't blame the messenger.
Fewer than 150 people have died of bird flu and we've been hearing about it for 1-2 years now. I think it's overhyped fear and I fully realize that the administration and CDC, etc., think it's a fully realized fear.
And, btw, in an interview a few weeks ago, Nagin told reporters that he got the 10,000 feared dead number from the press and he cited a few places he'd seen the number mentioned before he ever said a word.