Richard Preston

The Hot Zone

1. IDEA 1

   A deadly virus reached America

   Preston tells the true story of a 1989 outbreak of an Ebola-like virus among monkeys in a laboratory building near Washington, DC. Army and government scientists raced to contain it before it could spread.

2. IDEA 2

   Filoviruses are terrifying

   Preston describes Ebola and Marburg, viruses that cause severe bleeding and often death. He explains why scientists consider them among the most dangerous known. Their sudden and violent effects made them feel like something from a nightmare.

3. IDEA 3

   Teams worked in space suits

   Preston describes the military biohazard teams who entered the monkey house wearing protective suits. Every step carried the risk of infection. The work was slow and tense, since a single tear in a suit could be dangerous.

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