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Health Check: Outbreaks of Ebola and Hantavirus

Outbreaks of Ebola and Hantavirus

19/09/2012

BBC World Service - Health Check, Outbreaks of Ebola and Hantavirus

Viruses are no respecter of economic barriers, dealing death in rich and poor countries

Dealing with virus outbreaks, from Ebola in the DRC to Hantavirus in the US. How mosquitos hitch a ride to spread disease around the world and the successful eradication of Rinderpest.

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)

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