David’s Comments (group member since Oct 15, 2012)

David’s comments from the Ask David Quammen - October 15, 2012 group.

Kyla wrote: "Mr Quammen,
In reading about the herpes B virus that is primarily transmitted in laboratory settings, and not known to spillover in the temples; it struck me that it may be a result of labs themsel..."

That is a very interesting idea, Kyla, and seems to me quite plausible. Has it been studied? Not that I've seen. But I agree that it could be, and it should be. Stress of laboratory confinement--I'm just guessing here--might indeed cause an animal to shed more virus than is shed by a more relaxed animal in a wild or feral (as in the temples) situation. But to repeat: Don't know.

Kelly wrote: "Hello! I've got a whole shelf of books on natural history and science (for the general reader) as a direct consequence of reading your work. Thank you for that. I'm curious to hear your assessment ..."

I've been very positively impressed by what I've seen of the professionals at the CDC and other institutions in this country, and the measures of vigilance and response, addressed to the problem of these emerging disease. Ian Lipkin's lab at Columbia. Nathan Wolfe's Global Viral organization. Many others, in the US and abroad, including the WHO and Medecin sans Frontieres, are working around the world, in partnership with national ministries of health, to try to spot the new threats (mostly zoonotic viruses) early, identify them, understand them, and prepare measures of containment and response. Can we leverage US foreign policy? Well, we can't force other countries to be as careful as they should be; but we can help them. And, speaking of leveraging, if your candidate for President says that he would cut the budget of the CDC (now at about $9.2 billion, in the last year for which I've seen figures), then that candidate is a threat to public health.

Richard wrote: "Hi Mr. Quammen,

"Natural Acts" is one of my absolute favorite books. From time to time I'll read a new article of yours in a National Geographic. I was wondering if there are any plans to compile ..."

I've published four collections, Richard, three more since the original Natural Acts: The Flight of the Iguana, Wild Thoughts from Wild Places, and The Boilerplate Rhino. Also, several years ago, a new edition of Natural Acts that contains the best of the earlier edition plus the best of my more recent magazine work, mainly for National Geographic and Harper's. The new edition serves as a slice through time, in terms of my career, and a juxtaposition of what I did early with what I've done recently in that mode.

Tony wrote: "J. Michael Fay is a fascinating character in Spillover. A few years ago, Amazon and other book sites were offering a book titled The Long Walk, about your experiences following Fay across Africa. ..."

Tony, there's a long story behind that one. I'll give you the short version. I had a falling-out with the publisher (it WASN'T WW Norton, whom I love) who announced that book before I had finished writing it (they wanted me to push it ahead of "The Reluctant Mr. Darwin" but I refused) and we severed the contract. I could have sold the book elsewhere, but my wise agent advised me to set it aside and proceed with writing "Spillover" instead. That turned out to be good for "Spillover," because I use some of the Mike Fay/Megatransect experience in my chapter on Ebola. I would much rather have it where it is, as a concise part of a much larger and more ambitious project. The three Megatransect stories, as they ran in Nat Geo, are reprinted in my new edition of "Natural Acts." There's also the mammoth and magnificent book of photos and journals from the Megatransect that Nick Nichols and Mike Fay published, and for which I wrote a preface. What an adventure that was.

Kristel wrote: "Hi David,

As a biologist (by training) and curator in the field of the history of science (by trade), I was wondering if your new book also includes historical examples of spillovers. No doubt the..."

Very good question, and there's not much data on which to answer it. Historical spillovers of course include the ones that have led to outbreaks of bubonic plague and yellow fever, both of which are zoonotic. In the far earlier human past, we know that measles, now a purely human disease, is the evolutionary descendant of a zoonoses, probably related to rinderpest. Measles couldn't maintain itself in human populations until we started living together in groups of around 500,000. Then it stayed with us, evolved, and beame a uniquely human disease. There are other examples. Everything comes from somewhere (as I say in the book), and purely human diseases such as measles and smallpox and polio HAD to have animal origins, because we are a relatively young species. But those aren't generally counted as zoonoses, because they presently don't depend on a nonhuman animal host.

Alan wrote: "Hi David,

As a biologist, I'm a fan of anyone who can make science accessible to all. Reading you many essays and compilations over the years, your style is one that is both factual and entertaini..."

My style--or call it my voice--has justed developed naturally over time, I guess. I try always to write in a real, conversational voice that reflects my own disposition, sense of humor, respect for the reader, etc. "Voice" in literary terms, I think, is the translation of the character of the writer onto the printed page.

Judith wrote: "Welcome David,

As someone without a scientific background, I loved how the evidence presented in "Song of the Dodo" was compelling and accessible.
My question is whether you will be examining the ..."

Yes, I discuss that theory in the book. It has been conclusively disproved. We now know from molecular genetics work, by Michael Worobey among others, that the pandemic strain of AIDS got its start in humans as long ago as 1908, give or take a margin of error. Long before the Kiprowski polio vaccine was tested. That's just one problem with the oral polio vaccine theory. There are others. I tell the whole, long, unexpected story of the ecological origins of AIDS in Spillover. It's much different from what people generally think they know about the disease.

Kyla wrote: "Mr Quammen,
In reading about the herpes B virus that is primarily transmitted in laboratory settings, and not known to spillover in the temples; it struck me that it may be a result of labs themsel..."

Stefani wrote: "Hi David,

I became a huge fan of yours after reading "Song of the Dodo" earlier this year and I am eagerly anticipating your new book.

Is it possible for a disease or pathogen that was previously..."

Yes it's possible. Contact between humans and wildlife presents the opportunity for a virus or other pathogen to make the leap into one human. If the bug finds it can survive and replicate within this new kind of host, that represents a spillover. Next question is whether it can pass from one human to another. If it can, you may have an outbreak, an epidemics, even a pandemic. As it continues to replicate--mutating a bit as it does--the bug can change, adapt, evolve. Especially true if it's an RNA virus, very changeable.