The Monster at Our Door

September 15, 2005
The 2003 avian flu outbreak in China killed more than 100 people in just one week. Over one million chickens were slaughtered in an attempt to contain the disease. Yet smaller outbreaks occurred in chickens and pigs in Holland, Thailand, and the United States. A related virus strain triggered a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 26 countries, leaving 916 deaths in its wake. MacArthur fellow Davis ("City of Quartz") explains the science behind the outbreaks, characteristics of the various strains, how they spread from animals to humans, and the mistakes and miscalculations of scientists, governments, and food industries that nearly caused worldwide panic. He draws parallels to the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed more than 50 million people worldwide. In his view, the world's increasing demand for animal protein, burgeoning human and animal populations, freedom of travel, and globalization of poultry production may lead to another international pandemic. He stresses the need for cooperation among producers, marketers, and governments to impose safeguards and extensive vigilance to prevent such a catastrophe. Citing evidence drawn from over 300 periodicals, newspapers, books, and government reports, this important work reminds us that the politics of food safety is a global issue. Recommended for public health collections. -Irwin Weintraub, Brooklyn Coll. Lib., New York

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