Just talked to my ex about this. she is the infection control nurse for one of the local hospitals,s o to say she's been busy is an understatement.
she said the main reason for concern, is this has hit at the end of the "normal" flu season. Devoloping a vaccine normally takes 5 months, which would put the date in October, which is considered the start of the flu season.
If a vaccine is not developed timely, NEXT flu season is when a lot of the damage could happen. In her field, they are making comparisons to the 1918 flu epidiemic, so it's not entirely media generated panic. There is a sense of urgency in the medical field.
And now, for a little distraction...
http://denofgeek.com/movies/242804/1...outbreaks.html