Contagious cities

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The Evidence travels to Hong Kong to discover how the city is shaped by epidemics. From the 19th century plague, which heralded in westernised medicine, to the 2003 SARS outbreak, contagion has left indelible traces on Hong Kong. SARS was the first major epidemic of the 21st century, killing hundreds and terrifying thousands. In 2003 a 64 year old doctor checked into his Hong Kong hotel. A few days later he died from a mystery virus. By then other hotel guests caught planes to Singapore and Canada and the US, where they were taken ill too. No one knew what the virus was but a dedicated group of scientists and doctors managed to halt the outbreak in a very short time. Joining Claudia Hammond at the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts are virologist Malik Peiris, who co discovered the SARS virus, and Vivian Taam Wong, who had the task of running the hospitals during the outbreak. Art curator Ying Kwok and artist Angela Su consider the role art can play in the healing process,. And presenter Claudia Hammond looks to the future and asks Keiji Fukuda what lessons can be learnt to prevent other outbreaks. Perhaps the real fear today is what happens to public health when people no longer trust experts. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald Image: A woman crosses a busy road in Hong Kong wearing a mask Credit: PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images