The Hot Zone
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Author | Richard Preston |
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Language | English |
Subjects | Virology, Ebola Virus, Medical, Epidemiology |
Genre | Nonfiction |
Publisher | 1st Anchor Books Edition Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |
Publication date | September 20, 1994 |
Publication place | South Africa, United States |
Media type | Print (paperbackandhardback) eBook and audiobook |
Pages | 368 |
ISBN | 0-385-47956-5 |
OCLC | 32052009 |
614.5/7 20 | |
LC Class | RC140.5.P74 1994 |
Website | https://richard-preston.net/book/the-hot-zone/ |
The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Storyis abest-selling1994nonfictionthriller byRichard Prestonabout the origins and incidents involvingviral hemorrhagic fevers,particularlyebolavirusesandmarburgviruses.[1][2]The basis of the book was Preston's 1992New Yorkerarticle "Crisis in the Hot Zone".[3]
Thefiloviruses—includingEbola virus,Sudan virus,Marburg virus,andRavn virus—areBiosafety Level 4agents, extremely dangerous to humans because they are very infectious, have a high fatality rate, and most have no knownprophylactic measures,treatments, or cures. Along with describing the history of the devastation caused by two of theseCentral Africandiseases,Ebola virus diseaseandMarburg virus disease,Preston described a 1989 incident in which a relative of Ebola virus,Reston virus,was discovered at a primate quarantine facility inReston, Virginia,less than 15 miles (24 km) away fromWashington, D.C.
Synopsis
[edit]The book is in four sections:
- "The Shadow of Mount Elgon" delves into the history of filoviruses, as well as speculation about the origins ofAIDS.Preston recounts the story of "Charles Monet" (apseudonym), who might have caught Marburg virus from visitingKitum CaveonMount Elgonin Kenya. The author describes the progression of the disease, from the initial headache and backache, to the final stage in which Monet's internal organs fail and he hemorrhages extensively in a waiting room in a Nairobi hospital. This part also introduces a promising young physician who became infected with Marburg virus while treating Monet. Nancy Jaax's story is told. Viruses,biosafety levelsand procedures were described. The Ebola virus disease outbreaks caused by Ebola virus and its cousin,Sudan virus,are mentioned. Preston talks to the man who named the Ebola virus.
- "The Monkey House" chronicles the discovery of Reston virus among imported monkeys in Reston, Virginia, and the following actions taken by theU.S. ArmyandCenters for Disease Control.It starts with the monkey house receiving a shipment of 100 wild monkeys. After four weeks, 29 of these monkeys have died. This is followed by the veterinarian for the facility, Dan Dalgard, examining the dead monkeys and sending the samples toPeter Jahrling,a virologist atUnited States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.After seeing a rope-like virus under the microscope, it is suspected that the monkeys were infected with a hot agent similar to the Marburg virus. Jahrling then conducts a blood test to find out that the hot agent is the Ebola Zaire virus. This conclusion leads to the Army Medical Research Institute deciding to euthanize all the monkeys in the same room as the infected monkeys.
- "Smashdown" is more on the Reston epizootic, which involved a strain of the virus that does not affect humans but which easily spreads by air, and is very similar to its cousin the Ebola virus.
- "Kitum Cave" tells of the author's visit to the cave that is the suspected home of the naturalhostanimal in which Ebola lives.
The book starts with "Charles Monet" visiting Kitum Cave during a camping trip to Mount Elgon in Central Africa. Not long after, he begins to suffer from a number of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and red eye. He is taken to Nairobi Hospital for treatment, but his condition deteriorates further, and he goes into a coma while in the waiting room. This particular filovirus is called Marburg virus.
Dr. Nancy Jaax had been promoted to work in the Level 4 Biosafety containment area at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, and is assigned to research Ebola virus. While preparing food for her family at home, she cuts her right hand. Later, while working on a dead monkey infected with Ebola virus, one of the gloves on the hand with the open wound tears, and she is almost exposed to contaminated blood, but does not get infected.Nurse Mayingais also infected by a nun and goes to Ngaleima Hospital inKinshasafor treatment, where she succumbs to the disease.
In Reston, Virginia, less than fifteen miles (24 km) away from Washington, D.C., a company called Hazelton Research once operated aquarantinecenter for monkeys that were destined for laboratories. In October 1989, when an unusually high number of their monkeys began to die, their veterinarian decided to send some samples to Fort Detrick (USAMRIID) for study. Early during the testing process inbiosafety level 3,when one of the flasks appeared to be contaminated with harmlesspseudomonasbacterium,two USAMRIID scientists exposed themselves to the virus by wafting the flask. The virus found at the facility was a mutated form of the original Ebola virus and was initially mistaken forsimian hemorrhagic fever virus.They later determine that, while the virus is lethal to monkeys, humans can be infected with it without any health effects at all. This virus is now known as Reston virus.
Finally, the author goes to Africa to explore Kitum Cave. On the way, he discusses the role ofAIDSin the present, as theKinshasa Highwaythat he travels on was sometimes called the "AIDS Highway" after its early appearance in the region. Equipped with ahazmat suit,he enters the cave and finds a large number of animals, one of which might be the virus carrier. At the conclusion of the book, he travels to the quarantine facility in Reston. He finds the building abandoned and deteriorating. He concludes the book by claiming that Ebola will be back.
Reston virus outbreak
[edit]The discovery of the Reston virus was made in November 1989 by Thomas W. Geisbert, an intern at United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Peter B. Jahrling isolated the filovirus further. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted blood tests of the 178 animal handlers. While six tested positive, they did not exhibit any symptoms. The Reston virus was found to have lowpathogenicityin humans. This was further supported later when a handler infected himself during anecropsyof an infected monkey, as the handler did not show symptoms of the virus after the incubation period.[4]
Reception
[edit]The Hot Zonewas listed as one of around 100 books that shaped a century of science byAmerican Scientist.[5]Many reviews ofThe Hot Zoneexemplify the impact the book had on the public's view ofemerging viruses.A review in theBritish Medical Journalcaptures the paranoia and public panic described in this book. The reviewer was left "wondering when and where this enigmatic agent will appear next and what other disasters may await human primates".[6]This can also be seen in a review in thePublic Health Reportswhich highlights the "seriousness of our current situation" and "our ability to respond to a major health threat".[7]
The Hot Zonewas described in an academic journal covering research in the history of science as a"romantic account of environmental transgression".Reactions to this book could be seen not only in the public's view of emerging viruses, but in the changes in theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.In addition to the funding of public health infrastructure during the early 1970s, there were many public discussions of biodefense. This book continued to fuel the emerging diseases campaign. By connecting international health tonational security,this campaign usedThe Hot Zoneas a method of justifying increased intervention in the global phenomena of disease.[8]
The Hot Zoneelicited a major response by theWorld Health Organization(WHO) by shedding light on theEbola Zaire outbreak.[clarification needed]Teams of experts were immediately released.[clarification needed]Many countries tightened their borders, issued warnings to custom officials, quarantined travelers, and issued travel advisories.[9]
In hisblurb,horror writerStephen Kingcalled the first chapter "one of the most horrifying things I've read in my whole life".[10]When asked whether any book "scared the pants off you" writerSuzanne Collinsanswered "The Hot Zone,by Richard Preston. I just read it a few weeks ago. Still recovering. "[11]
The Hot Zonehas received criticism for sensationalizing the effects of Ebola virus.[12]In their memoirLevel 4: Virus Hunters of the CDC(1996),[13]former CDC scientistsJoseph B. McCormickandSusan Fisher-Hochlambasted Preston for claiming that Ebola dissolves organs, stating that although it causes great blood loss in tissues the organs remain structurally intact. McCormick and Fisher-Hoch also dispute Preston's version of the CDC's actions in the Reston virus incident.[citation needed]In an interview about his bookEbola: The Natural and Human History of a Deadly Virus(2014),David Quammenclaimed thatThe Hot Zonehad "vivid, gruesome details" that gave an "exaggerated idea of Ebola over the years" causing "people to view this disease as though it was some sort of preternatural phenomenon".[14]
Dramatizations
[edit]Failed film adaptation
[edit]In January 1993,20th Century FoxproducerLynda Obstwon a bidding war for the film rights to Preston's 1992New Yorkerarticle, which was still being transitioned into book form.[15]In response to being outbid,Warner Bros.producerArnold Kopelsonimmediately began working on a similarly themed production. This competing film,Outbreak,would ultimately be a factor in the collapse of Fox's planned production,Crisis in The Hot Zone.[16]
Directors considered forCrisis in The Hot ZoneincludedWolfgang Petersen(who would later directOutbreak),Michael Mann,andRidley Scott.Scott eventually signed on to direct the film in February 1994.[17]ScreenwriterJames V. Hartwas also signed to adapt the book. In late April 1994, Fox announced they had signedRobert RedfordandJodie Fosterto star in the film.[18]
Crisis in The Hot Zone,however, was never made. Foster dropped out of the film just before filming was to begin and production was delayed, withMeryl Streep,Sharon Stone,andRobin Wrighttouted as possible replacements. In August 1994, Redford also dropped out of the film;[19]a few days after Redford left it was announced that pre-production had been shut down.[20]
Television series
[edit]On October 16, 2014,The Hollywood Reporterannounced that Ridley Scott again planned to adapt the book, this time as atelevision miniseriesforNatGeo.Kelly Souders,Brian Peterson,andJeff Vintarwrote the pilot.Julianna Marguliesstarred as Nancy Jaax. Filming began in September 2018.[21]Lynda Obst again produced the series.[22]Theseriesfirst aired from May 27 to May 29, 2019,[23]and was later renewed for a second season.
See also
[edit]- C.J. Peters
- Hot zone (environment)
- The Demon in the Freezer
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
References
[edit]- ^"Best Sellers".The New York Times Book Review.June 4, 1995.RetrievedSeptember 29,2008.
- ^Preston, Richard (1994).The hot zone.New York: Random House.ISBN9780679430940.OCLC30111747.
- ^Preston, Richard (October 26, 1992)."Crisis in the Hot Zone".The New Yorker.RetrievedJuly 31,2014.
- ^McCormick, Joseph (1996).Level 4: Virus Hunters of the CDC.Barnes & Nobles Books. pp. 298–299.ISBN978-0-7607-1208-5.
- ^Morrison, P. 100 or so Books that shaped a Century of Science. Retrieved February 17, 2016, fromhttp://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/100-or-so-books-that-shaped-a-century-of-scienceArchivedDecember 28, 2008, at theWayback Machine
- ^Galbraith, N. S. (1994). "Review of The Hot Zone".BMJ.309(6962): 1168–1169.doi:10.1136/bmj.309.6962.1168a.JSTOR29725319.S2CID220184148.
- ^Morse, Stephen A. (1995). "The Year 2000: Only a Plane Flight Away from Disaster?".Public Health Reports.110(2): 223–225.JSTOR4597805.
- ^King, Nicholas B. (2004). "The Scale Politics of Emerging Diseases".Osiris.19:62–76.doi:10.1086/649394.JSTOR3655232.PMID15449391.S2CID12869742.
- ^Ungar, Sheldon (March 1998). "Hot Crises and Media Reassurance: A Comparison of Emerging Diseases and Ebola Zaire".The British Journal of Sociology.49(1): 36–56.doi:10.2307/591262.JSTOR591262.
- ^"About The Hot Zone".Random House.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
- ^Jordan, Tina (August 12, 2010)."Suzanne Collins on the books she loves".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
- ^Nixon, Kari (June 14, 2021)."How the Xenophobic Legacy of Ebola Shaped America's Fear and Denial of COVID-19".Literary Hub.RetrievedJune 16,2021.
- ^McCormick, Joseph B.; Fisher-Hoch, Susan; Horvitz, Leslie Alan (1999).Level 4: Virus Hunters of the CDC.Barnes & Nobles Books.ISBN978-0760712085.
- ^Michaeleen Doucleff (November 11, 2014)How 'The Hot Zone' Got It Wrong And Other Tales Of Ebola's HistoryNPR.org Retrieved March 16, 2020
- ^Eller, Claudia (January 24, 1993)."Fox, Obst contract virus pic".Variety.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^O'Steen, Kathleen (February 13, 1994)."Virus pic fever infects Fox, WB".Variety.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^"Ridley Scott has signed on to direct" Crisis in the Hot Zone "".Variety.varietyultimate.com. February 14, 1994.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^"Fox set the deals on" Crisis in the Hot Zone "for Robert Redford and Jodie Foster".Variety.varietyultimate.com. May 2, 1994.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^"Robert Redford has departed 20th Century Fox's" Crisis in the Hot Zone "".Variety.varietyultimate.com. August 15, 1994.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^""Crisis" in the Not Zone ".Variety.varietyultimate.com. August 19, 1994.RetrievedMarch 1,2015.
- ^Siegel, Tatiana (October 16, 2014)."Ebola TV Series in the Works From Lynda Obst, Ridley Scott (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedOctober 20,2014.
- ^Trendacosta, Katharine (October 16, 2014)."20 Years Too Late, Ridley Scott's Finally Adapting The Hot Zone".IO 9.RetrievedOctober 20,2014.
- ^Lawrence, Derek (February 8, 2019)."Julianna Margulies races to stop an Ebola outbreak in The Hot Zone trailer".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedApril 14,2019.
Cited sources
[edit]- Moeller, Susan D. (August 1999).Compassion Fatigue: How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death(1 ed.). New York: Routledge. p.82.ISBN978-0-415-92098-8.
Further reading
[edit]- Preston, Richard(July 20, 1995) [1994].The Hot Zone, A Terrifying True Story.Anchor Books (Random House), Sagebrush Education Resources, Tandem Library Books.ISBN0-385-47956-5.