I just saw this site and signed up today. The first ideas that came to mind was to tell a story about the origin of the virus. But that would mean starting in the past and then do a connection to 2007 later on. Would that stand a chance to be published in the book (at best ;-)) or be part of the project?
Theoretically, the virus is explained in the storyline. What I think you're refering to is the flu. I think that creating a back story for why the flu became so powerful and unstoppable may feed the creativity of the future.
No, I mean the virus. But anyway, my narrative is more developed now and I simply do a story within a story. Problem solved ;-)
That certainly raises another question. If there are 10 versions of i.e. the discover of the virus which one is the "right" one?