pandemic which could kill up to 45,000 Scots as a “worst case” scenario.It was believed the disease would mutate from an already-circulating strain of avian flu, making it harmful to humans.The records show cabinet fears over the extensive spread of the flu, which papers say would “spread very quickly from the Far East to Europe through travellers”.The coronavirus pandemic was initially spread by travellers from the Wuhan area of China, where it originated, into Europe.In a cabinet discussion on October 5, 2005, ministers talked about the possibilities of a vaccine for any forthcoming pandemic disease, saying it would take “at least” six months for one to materialise.However, the minutes of the meeting claim a tendering process was already.