Nat Geo’s ‘Breakthrough’ kicks off with look at ebola, USAMRID and pandemic risks
Directed and narrated by Peter Berg, National Geographic’s new 6-part mini-series Breakthrough kicks off with The Future of Fighting Pandemics. Breakthrough explores humanity and the ability to innovate through science.
Fighting Pandemics centers on the ebola virus, the 2014 outbreak and how the experts around the globe work rapidly towards containment, understanding, vaccine and prevention.
Dr. Ian Crozier, WHO virologist, is one of the scientists featured in the episode and the show examines his contraction of the infection while working in the field.
Photo/CDC
Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, a professor at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA, and her colleagues are at the forefront of investigating the workings of viruses such as Ebola and Marburg, another related contagion.
Dr. John M. Dye is branch chief of viral immunology at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) is also featured, taking the audience on a tour and revealing why he has one of the “worst” jobs in America.
Dr Brantly, working in Liberia, has tested positive for Ebola photo/Samaritan’s Purse
More details on the premiere episode can be read over at Nat Geo – click HERE
The Future of Fighting Pandemics rests too much in hyperbole, centering on ebola instead of more flu-like diseases which may be spread more easily. Intense images are blended with great graphics to make the science accessible and digestible for the laymen in the audience.
Seeing the labs, the scientists in action, the technology and the regions of outbreak all bring the harsh realism of the pandemics to the viewers.
Breakthrough premieres Sunday, November 1 at 9/8p on National Geographic Channel.
