Virus hunters book

A day later, he had to change it again. This really could be it. But Anthony is also part of a small, influential cadre of researchers who believe that such epidemics can be prevented—if viruses can be detected before they make the fatal leap. Almost two-thirds of human diseases originate in animals. Measles, first described in the ninth century, is thought to have come from cattle. HIV most likely leapt into our world via monkeys and apes in the 20th century.

By one estimate, there are more than , viruses in the animal world that have the potential to infect humans. We encourage these spillovers whenever we cut roads through the wilderness, clear forests to grow crops, catch wildlife to sell as trophies or butcher for food, or pen chickens and swine in places where bats and wild birds can mingle with them.

One spillover that caused international alarm at the time was the H5N1 avian influenza. It jumped to humans from poultry sold alive in Hong Kong markets in , infecting 18 people and killing six. Hong Kong squelched the outbreak by killing every one of the 1.

But in , a new strain of the H5N1 virus spread outward from Southeast Asia. By the end of , it had sickened people as far west as Romania, killing more than half of them, and prompted the slaughter of millions of birds.

The global spread of bird flu—and the agricultural destruction it wrought—made a deep impression on a federal infectious-disease specialist named Dennis Carroll. Carroll worked at the U. Until that point, most of his work on outbreaks—malaria, tuberculosis, river blindness—had involved teaming up with national ministries of health.

The H5N1 flu made him see what such partnerships missed. Carroll started working with animal-health experts across the developing world, who taught farmers and live-animal sellers how to reduce exposures and risks. The effort did what the agency had hoped: It suppressed the spread of the H5N1 bird flu, forcing it back from more than 50 countries into just a few.

The virus inhabits wild waterfowl, which pass it to domesticated and wild birds as they migrate across the world. This made Carroll wonder: What if someone had pinpointed which groups of wild birds carried the virus? Could farmers along those migratory routes have been persuaded to alter their methods—for instance, raising their chickens in closed sheds?

More broadly, could detecting pathogens before they spilled over from the wild help humans prevent the next pandemic? The five organizations had all been working at the intersection of animal science, conservation and human health. Now everyone knows that. Finding viruses in the wild is hot, messy, risky work. The research and the basic premise of the books are great. The exception of this series, all of his books have come out and poof, it actually happens.

I have also noticed when he does put out a series, other author's have jumped on the band and have Virus 3 I am not going to be a popular fan with my review. I have also noticed when he does put out a series, other author's have jumped on the band and have taken off with his concept. As stated, it is the characters and the length of the books that is troublesome. The main characters are superheroes not people anyone can relate to. I know all. I do all. Only "I" can do it mentality. I would rather read a book that takes me a couple of days than one that like this that was less than three hours.

I am torn on the rating. But I will be like the stores that don't give change and give this book a 4. Aug 13, Pam Shelton-Anderson rated it really liked it Shelves: post-apocalyptic-pandemic.

I have generally enjoyed this series a lot, but this was a little bit of a let down. I really like the science and the problem solving narrative. However, Harper is still too over the top for me and I find her unrealistic. The CDC doesn't have anyone but this one person married to a high profile congressman that can go in the field?

The exploit to get Doggo seemed a bit foolhardy. Harper is annoying impatient, a trait that is not common in virologists and epidemiologist where patience is everyth I have generally enjoyed this series a lot, but this was a little bit of a let down.

Harper is annoying impatient, a trait that is not common in virologists and epidemiologist where patience is everything. How lucky for her that she teams up with Kwon who is pretty much Superman. There was a lot of effort in all three books to highlight China's complicity in the terrible Covid event, so why adding some lines in this book with the questionable claim it had a lower mortality rate than influenza?

Still, I found the series as a whole to be a fun set of books to read. Apr 04, Elizabeth Lian rated it it was amazing. Yesterday Becomes Now! We were fortunate to only be hospitalized5 days, treated successfully with Remdisavier, probably a typo , so reading this series was pushed back to late March. As always, B. Akart got it right! He got the fright upon catching it, the terrible iso Yesterday Becomes Now! The world needs to wake Up! Read this series, its on point, Liz from South Jersey.

Oct 24, Maggie Deaton rated it it was amazing. A Fabulous Trilogy Ripped from Today's Headlines There are no words to describe the excitement and precognition that went into this fabulous trilogy. The story was literally ripped from the headlines present and future. A cast of characters that make you very proud of or own CDC and so many other "alphabet agencies" and their ability to work together despite politics.

I blazed through this trilogy too fast to write a review for each book. So, now in closing, I will simply say this trilogy was fabu A Fabulous Trilogy Ripped from Today's Headlines There are no words to describe the excitement and precognition that went into this fabulous trilogy. So, now in closing, I will simply say this trilogy was fabulous as Mr. Akart's books are singly or in groups! Thank you for a most enjoyable reading experience! Jul 17, Joan rated it it was amazing Shelves: odds-and-sods.

Harper and Kwon sneak into China to meet up with the underground posting details about the virus which then sends them on a dangerous mission to find the body of Patient Zero.

While being pursued by the government who needs to keep everything hush hush, Harper and Kwon escape with the remains of Doggo, a 15, year old wolf that started this terrifying chain of events. I want to say so much more about this character driven compelling story but I don't want to spoil anything. This book and serie Harper and Kwon sneak into China to meet up with the underground posting details about the virus which then sends them on a dangerous mission to find the body of Patient Zero.

This book and series is a must read especially with the Covid happening all around us now. Jun 02, Marie rated it liked it Shelves: electronic , third-plus , 3 , read , kindle-unlimited. First: this synopsis has literally zero to do with this book.

As you can see, I read them all in a row, one sitting, but It was just weird. The idea of a middle management CDC agent, even one from EIS, going on an undercover mission to China is wild and a hair too unrealistic. All it takes is a simple google search to see that that is untrue. Other than that, for the series overall, not bad and not great. Jul 11, Laine Spencer rated it really liked it. Held My Interest Seemed odd to be reading about a newly discovered virus, from fifteen thousand years ago, after just going through a pandemic ourselves.

In this story Coved 19 was ten years ago but this series of books seems to have come out on the heels of that event. I enjoyed the story and the characters. There were areas though where it was too wordy and I had to skim by. I also felt that several times the men were very condescending to Harper yet, at the same time, her character was way ove Held My Interest Seemed odd to be reading about a newly discovered virus, from fifteen thousand years ago, after just going through a pandemic ourselves.

I also felt that several times the men were very condescending to Harper yet, at the same time, her character was way over the top. Jul 26, lj cassity rated it it was amazing. I can't say it's inspired me to work in public health, at the CDC, or abroad chasing infectious diseases, but it's definitely opened my eyes to these fields on a global scale.

Dec 11, CavyNomes rated it it was amazing Shelves: source-owned. Absolutely fascinating. I couldn't put it down. It doesn't hold back on the scientific detail, but the reader is not left behind as most things are explained in a very accessible manner. Where it falls short: The transition between McCormick and Fisher-Hoch is sometimes unclear, so I had no idea whose scientific escapades I was reading about.

The book could do with some updating, as science has 4. The book could do with some updating, as science has moved along since publication. For example, in chapter nine the book states that HIV infection is not preventable, this is no longer the case. Jun 11, Tessa in Mid-Michigan rated it did not like it Shelves: nonfiction , dnf , disease. I managed to read the preface and three chapters before I could take the errors no longer. On three pages alone p.

This is written by a major leader in infectious disease? No confidence in him. Jul 04, Mish rated it it was amazing. This book also made me want to shower, but I'll settle for staying in the USA. Not that it helps; one of the last viruses that is discovered made its way to the USA through the import of Monkeys creatures that are used for testing by cosmetics industries as well as veing used for testing by the pharmeceutical industry.

It also shows how Africa in general, being significantly poverty-stricken in the locations these viruses were showing up, could not afford the patented tests, kits, or vaccinations that they need just to survive. The book leads me to conclude three things: 1.

Vaccinate yourself, and if you have any, vaccinate your damn children. Herd immunity IS all it is cracked up to be 2. With the advance in global climate change heating up the ice and releasing any and all pathogens trapped within: it won't be the rising oceans that kill us but the deadly diseases none of us are equipped to handle resurging, and that combined with airplane transport means that there is nowhere that is safe.

The biggest obstacle in getting people worldwide the vaccinations that they need relies at least in big part on funding. Give your money wisely, but give. Or, stop patenting life-saving machinery and then selling it at a rate you know poverty-stricken countries cannot afford even on an individual basis. Feb 18, Heather rated it it was amazing. This book suffers from too many narrative voices, as well as trying to be both clinical and compelling So my criticisms for this book remain.

This book suffers from too many narrative voices, as well as trying to be both clinical and compelling May 30, Jared A rated it really liked it.

We functionally exterminated smallpox; why shouldn't we do similarly with the Malarias, Ebolas, and so on in the world? Of all the scary happenings in the world, pathogens are far worse than car bombs.

I felt like I was walking with and standing next to them through all the ups and downs of their incredible careers.

Mar 07, Becky rated it really liked it Shelves: read-books. Every time I have a sore throat I'm going to think I'm dying of some viral hemorrhagic fever. I really liked learning about all these infectious diseases but did not realize this book is almost 20 years old until about halfway through. I wonder how many advances the world has made in tackling the disease covered in this book since it was published. I really hope there have been some advances and the general apathy shown by some of the governments has diminished.

Apr 21, Mark Kortepeter rated it liked it Shelves: science , medical , non-fiction , pathogens-and-disease. This is a memoir written by two of CDC's experts in viral hemorrhagic fevers, who were there for the early work and discovery of Ebola virus in Africa. Although I enjoyed learning the inside story from their perspective, I found the different narrative voices of the two authors distracting and more long-winded than necessary. Although it is nice to have a glimpse of the personal side to understand the full picture, a glimpse was all I needed.

Jul 22, Kate rated it it was ok. One major beef with this book is that it seemed to have 2 narrators but the chapters switched haphazardly with no pattern or any guideposts for the reader to figure out which person was meaning "I". Not a must-read for anyone, but if you want to learn the history of CDC and infectious diseases from onward, it was decent. Oct 31, Naythra Narayanan rated it it was ok. I liked learning about how the authors found and studied the level 4 viruses like Ebola and Lassa fever.

Learning about how they developed treatments to help people with these viruses was amazing and intriguing. However, this book could have used more editing. The paragraphs were choppy and jumped between the two authors' point of view leaving me confused as to who was talking.

May 30, Erin McBroom rated it it was amazing. Engrossing history of the epidemiologists who worked to find the source and cure for Lassa fever, now known as Ebola after the river in Zaire now the Democratic Republic of Congo where it was first identified. Level 4 viruses Good book with factual stories recanted touching on Ebola and lassa particularly.

The last few pages provide a decent synopsis of these level 4 type viruses as well, making for great reference material. Great content The story told by these two virus hunters is fantastic and thrilling.

I appreciate their devotion and contributions to science. Unfortunately, the translation process from print to ebook has left something to be desired. I do not blame the author's for this. Sep 12, Amanda rated it liked it Shelves: epidemiology , medicine. Interesting, but the narrative was rather rambly and disjointed. Sep 21, Taryn Condon rated it really liked it.

This book made me want to become an epidemiologist :. Jun 12, Julia Crane rated it really liked it Shelves: reads. A fabulous more memoir based microbiology based book. Less heavy science and more stories that are fun and exciting to follow.

Jan 12, Faerl Marie rated it liked it. Really interesting subject matter and case studies. The narrative style and craft were a little weak, but enough to get me through it. The chosen team then has 48 hours to get their visas squared away, pack up any special equipment, and get to the airport for their flight to the outbreak zone. The team then gets to work supporting local health officials. The tools they have at their disposal are a lot more high-tech than the ones Peter used back in including gene sequencing, which they use to decode the genetic makeup of viruses.

This technology helps the RST work with local experts to target the origin of the outbreak and limit its spread. A typical deployment lasts six weeks. If the outbreak is still ongoing at the end of that period, the current team heads home to London, and a new team takes their place. For example, the RST has been on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the beginning of the latest Ebola epidemic there. It could arrive next month, next decade, or next century. And in a world where you can fly nearly anywhere in less than a day, there are no guarantees the next epidemic will remain confined to the other side of the world from you.

The ability to respond to a disease is crucial for protecting the world from the next pandemic, and I hope more countries follow the U. Log in. Sign up. Log out. My profile and settings. Please complete your account verification. Resend verification email. This verification token has expired. Your email address has been verified. Update my profile. Your account has been deactivated. Sign in to re-activate your account. View all newsletters in the newsletter archive today.

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