Zika

The Emerging Epidemic

By: Donald G. McNeil

Narrated by: Dan Woren

Length: 5 hrs

Publisher's summary

A gripping narrative about the Zika virus from the New York Times science reporter covering the outbreak.

Until recently, Zika virus - once considered a mild disease - was hardly a cause for global panic. But as early as August 2015, doctors in Brazil's northeast region began to notice a trend: Many mothers who had recently experienced Zika symptoms were giving birth to babies with microcephaly, a serious disorder characterized by unusually small heads and brain damage. By the beginning of 2016, Zika was making headlines as evidence mounted, and eventually confirmed, that microcephaly is a direct result of the virus, which can be contracted through mosquito bites or sexually transmitted. As reported cases inch northward, the question of the moment has become: How far will the epidemic spread?

In Zika, New York Times science reporter Donald G. McNeil, Jr. sets the facts straight in a fascinating exploration of Zika's origins, how it's spreading, the race for a cure, and what we can do to protect ourselves now.

©2016 Donald G. McNeil (P)2016 Random House Audio

I thought it would be more scientific

book is mostly about the politics of zika I bought the book thinking it explain how the virus works in the body etc.

Zika Reality

If you could sum up Zika in three words, what would they be?

Informative, Alarming, Instructive

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The grim descriptions of microcephaly

Which character – as performed by Dan Woren – was your favorite?

The author himself.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The resistance so many groups had to delaying pregnancy. It seems hopeless. Zika is likely to infect thousands and without spacing births the number will even be higher.

Any additional comments?

How are the people of the Americas going to cope with so many afflicted children???