Outbreaks of Ebola and Hantavirus

Available for over a year

EBOLA AND HANTAVIRUS Two virus outbreaks are currently affecting two very different parts of the world, Hantavirus in the US, and Ebola in the democratic Republic of Congo. Both can kill. Ebola may be the more deadly, but Hantavirus is less predictable as it is so often confused with milder diseases. We hear from internationally renowned transmissible disease expert Peter Piot on the differences and similarities between these two outbreaks and the global nature of disease. MOSQUITOES Mosquitoes are perhaps the best known disease vectors, carrying malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus and a range of other diseases. We look at how Climate change and global trade have helped them take their deadly cargo around the world. RINDERPEST And we hear of a disease eradication success story. Rinderpest, a disease of cattle, with a huge economic impact on the livelihoods of pastoral people was officially declared eradicated last year. We hear from one of the veterinarians responsible for this life changing event. (Image: Ebola virus. Credit: Laguna Design/Science Photo Library)