Do a little research on the WWI pandemic and consider the fact that we have no vaccine and a woefully inadequate supply of a questionable treatment (tamiflu) and tell us its just a "health scare."  The WHO and governments aren't spending millions and planning because of the latest fad.  If the organism makes the genetic jump to human-human transmission, we could all be in deep doodoo.  There's no need for panic but it's foolish to dismiss the risk as just another "scare" IMO.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken