Don't know if this is just some sick coincidence but: 2007: Chinese year of the chicken. Bird flu pandemic devastates parts of Asia. 2008: Chinese year of the horse. Equine influenza decimates Australian racing. 2009: Chinese year of the pig. Swine flu pandemic kills hundreds of pigs around the globe. And it gets worse, next year, 2010: Chinese year of the cock. I'm very worried.