The Hot Zone Part 1 Discussion Questions

[Abbie]

Hi Everyone,

For this discussion, we’ll be covering Part One (Chapters 1–9) of The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston. We’re excited to hear your thoughts and hope you’ve been enjoying the book as much as we have so far! Also, we hope everyone had a successful finals week and is looking forward to a well-deserved, restful Winter Break. Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the questions or to discuss other points that stood out to you. Below is a brief summary of Part One:

Part One of The Hot Zone introduces readers to the terrifying reality of the Ebola virus through the story of Charles Monet, a reserved French expatriate and naturalist living in Western Kenya near Mount Elgon. During a Christmas vacation in the 1980s, Monet and a friend explore Kitum Cave, a mysterious location believed to harbor the virus. Within a few short days, Monet begins to exhibit severe symptoms, highlighting the lethalness and severity of symptoms caused deadly nature of the Ebola virus.

Richard Preston vividly depicts the horrifying progression of the disease and the unpreparedness of medical staff who tried to save Monet, emphasizing the devastating consequences of such outbreaks. Additionally, Preston introduces the concept of “the hot zone”—an area where deadly and highly contagious viruses thrive—through the character of Nancy Jaax, a U.S. Army veterinarian working in a Level 4 biosafety laboratory at USAMRIID (U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) which are designed to study incurable and highly infectious diseases. In Part One Preston works to create a stark reminder of humanity’s vulnerability despite technological advancements in scientific and medical research of infectious diseases as severe as Ebola.

Discussion Questions:

1.What does the description of Monet's final moments convey about the severity of the virus involved?

2.How does the book illustrate the rapid potential for virus transmission in modern society?

3.What lessons can be drawn from Karl Johnson’s perspective on the relationship between humanity and deadly viruses?

4.What does the ending of this part one suggest about the future implications for public health? What implications did the threat of airborne Ebola have for public health?