After reading this thread and seeing all the coverage in the media, I can see some good come out of the Avian Flu scare.

For starters it has made some people revue their own health, and theor preparations for what may happen.
Governments are actually doing something to prepare for it. (better than nothing)
Scientists and researchers who have been warning of this for a long time are getting more support and funding.
We all know this will happen one day, just like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes etc.
It may not be this strain of the flu that mutates, or it may not be a flu virus at all, but more of the population are getting informed.