SINGAPORE -- Avian flu has spread across 10 countries in Asia -- from China and Pakistan to Indonesia. A meeting in Bangkok at the end of January highlighted the flu's "regional dimension" as well as the necessity for a regional approach to eradicating it.

The flu has also driven home to the governments and people of Asia lessons that underscore political, economic, social and cooperative change.

Politically, the avian flu is creating renewed awareness of good governance, especially transparency and accountability. In a replay of China's political debacle during the SARS outbreak a year ago, Asians are once again demanding accountability in public health.