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NOVA scienceNOW: 1918 Flu
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Program Overview
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Health-care workers in many countries are very concerned about the increasing
possibility of a devastating worldwide pandemic caused by the H5N1 avian flu
virus that has recently appeared in Asia. Scientists explain that they are
studying the virus that caused the 1918 flu pandemic to gain insight into how a
virulent flu virus spreads and what makes it so virulent.
This NOVA scienceNOW segment:
reports that scientists have revived a virus collected from a stored
sample of tissue taken from a First World War soldier who died from the flu in
1918. explains that the 1918 flu virus was especially virulent because of the
way that it infected and destroyed deep lung tissue. describes how scientists used reverse genetics to combine genes from a
seasonal flu virus with bits of DNA from the 1918 virus to explore just what
made it so virulent. discusses how epidemics and pandemics have effected populations and
cultures throughout history. examines the dynamics of the spread of viral epidemics and how
inoculation and prevention can change the infection pattern. notes the broad strategies used to manage an epidemic.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program is taped off the air.
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