What does it mean when people say ‘we’re due for a pandemic’?

The World

There have been warnings over the past 15 years or so that the world is due for a pandemic. Epidemiologically, pandemics are animal viruses that need to be able to do three things: efficiently infect humans, replicate in humans and spread easily among humans. Are there aspects of the globalized society we live in today that have been contributing to those conditions? Marco Werman speaks with science journalist Sonia Shah, author of “Pandemic: Tracking Contagions from Cholera to Ebola and Beyond.” 

Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!