Secret Agents

Madeline Drexler discusses how infectious diseases are reemerging as a major health crisis. Ms. Drexler, author of Secret Agents: The Menace of Emerging Infections, identifies Mother Nature as the most creative and dangerous bio-terrorist. Based in part on data obtained from the Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Emerging Infections and interviews with researchers, the book focuses on different risks, including food borne pathogens, animal and insect borne diseases, and the public health threats posed by anthrax and smallpox. Ms. Drexler suggests that it is not a question of ‘if’ some new and deadly disease will hit us, but ‘when.’ close