It remains to be seen whether the virus will mutate into a more virulent strain.
Although the virus does not appear to be easily transmissible among humans, it could mutate into a form that is easily passed through a cough or sneeze.
If not, Asia's cautious naval build-up could indeed mutate into a classic, old-fashioned arms race.
In very rare instances, the virus in the vaccine can mutate into a form that can paralyse - this is what is known as a vaccine-derived poliovirus or VDPV.
If the virus is not, after all, to mutate into "Mexican flu", what then is it to be called?
Scientists warn that the virus could mutate into a much deadlier form.