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Fever! The Hunt for a New Killer Virus
February 1969 - deadly unidentified virus reported from remote African missionary hospital, two American nurses stricken and died within 10 days. Doctors stymied by mysterious symptoms of the soaring temperature, painful backache, swelling of the throat and neck, discolored skin! Latest victim airlifted to special isolation ward at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, blood samples rushed to Yale's Arborvirus Laboratory, all-out search launches to discover an antidote. U. S. Public Health officials alarmed, virus has the potential to decimate the whole population, aviation officials consider cancellation of all jet travel to critical world areas.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
31 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
John G. Fuller
33 books36 followersJohn Grant Fuller, Jr. (1913 - 1990) was a New England-based American author of several non-fiction books and newspaper articles, mainly focusing on the theme of extra-terrestrials and the supernatural. For many years he wrote a regular column for the Saturday Review magazine, called "Trade Winds". His three most famous books were The Ghost of Flight 401, Incident at Exeter, and The Interrupted Journey.
The Ghost of Flight 401 was based on the tragic Eastern Air Lines airplane crash in December 1972, and the alleged supernatural events which followed; it was eventually turned into a popular 1978 made-for-television movie.
Incident at Exeter concerned a series of well-publicized UFO sightings in and around the town of Exeter, New Hampshire in the fall of 1965 (see the Exeter incident). Fuller personally investigated the sightings and interviewed many of the eyewitnesses, he also claimed to have seen a UFO himself during his investigation.
The Interrupted Journey tells the story of the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. The Hills were a married couple who claimed to have been abducted in 1961 by the occupants of a UFO in the White Mountains of New Hampshire while returning home from a vacation. The book was the first to seriously claim that competent, reliable witnesses were being abducted by UFOs for medical and scientific experiments. The book remains one of the most influential in UFO history; and has been hotly debated since its publication. Like The Ghost of Flight 401, The Interrupted Journey was also turned into a made-for-television movie in 1975.
Fuller wrote The Great Soul Trial (1969) about the disappearance of Arizona Miner James Kidd and the later trial regarding his will, which left his fortune to anyone who could prove the existence of the human soul. The book was published prior to the final resolution of the case in 1971.
John was also married to a NorthWest flight Attendant who was the researcher mentioned in his book "Ghost of Flight 401" His book We Almost Lost Detroit deals with a serious accident at the Fermi nuclear power plant near Detroit. The book title was later the title of a song by Gil Scott-Heron on the No Nukes live album recorded by the Musicians United for Safe Energy.
He wrote two plays -- The Pink Elephant, which opened in 1953, and Love Me Little, which opened in 1958, both on Broadway.
His most important book was the fictional novel We Almost Lost Detroit. There is a song by Gil Scott-Heron, same title.
Fuller died of lung cancer in 1990.
The Ghost of Flight 401 was based on the tragic Eastern Air Lines airplane crash in December 1972, and the alleged supernatural events which followed; it was eventually turned into a popular 1978 made-for-television movie.
Incident at Exeter concerned a series of well-publicized UFO sightings in and around the town of Exeter, New Hampshire in the fall of 1965 (see the Exeter incident). Fuller personally investigated the sightings and interviewed many of the eyewitnesses, he also claimed to have seen a UFO himself during his investigation.
The Interrupted Journey tells the story of the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. The Hills were a married couple who claimed to have been abducted in 1961 by the occupants of a UFO in the White Mountains of New Hampshire while returning home from a vacation. The book was the first to seriously claim that competent, reliable witnesses were being abducted by UFOs for medical and scientific experiments. The book remains one of the most influential in UFO history; and has been hotly debated since its publication. Like The Ghost of Flight 401, The Interrupted Journey was also turned into a made-for-television movie in 1975.
Fuller wrote The Great Soul Trial (1969) about the disappearance of Arizona Miner James Kidd and the later trial regarding his will, which left his fortune to anyone who could prove the existence of the human soul. The book was published prior to the final resolution of the case in 1971.
John was also married to a NorthWest flight Attendant who was the researcher mentioned in his book "Ghost of Flight 401" His book We Almost Lost Detroit deals with a serious accident at the Fermi nuclear power plant near Detroit. The book title was later the title of a song by Gil Scott-Heron on the No Nukes live album recorded by the Musicians United for Safe Energy.
He wrote two plays -- The Pink Elephant, which opened in 1953, and Love Me Little, which opened in 1958, both on Broadway.
His most important book was the fictional novel We Almost Lost Detroit. There is a song by Gil Scott-Heron, same title.
Fuller died of lung cancer in 1990.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 27, 2022
This book is a riveting account of the discovery of a deadly, hemorrhagic fever, first seen in a mission hospital in Jos, Nigeria in 1969. It is a fast-paced, non-fiction book that reads like a novel. It is particularly interesting when you think about all that has happened in 2020 in the research on COVID-19: the search to find how/where it started; how to treat it (chloroquine is frequently mentioned in in the book); how it spreads; and so forth. The front-line workers (researchers and medical staff, alike)--in 1969-1973, as in 2020--are much to be admired and appreciated by all of us.
Although this book is not "a Christian book," per se, the faith of the missionaries in the power of prayer and the sovereignty of God is clearly portrayed throughout the book. Of special interest to me is knowing close relatives of Dr. Jeanette Troup, medical director of the SIM hospital, who also lost her life at age 46 to Lassa fever in 1970. After cutting her finger while doing an autopsy on one of the first victims, she made this statement at a prayer meeting: "What if the Lord should decide to take me away by a virus, for example? It is His will that decides this, not mine." At the time Dr. Troup made this statement, only one other person was aware that she had cut her finger and of the very real possibility that she would get the disease. One of her fellow missionaries who was present at her funeral told me that Dr. Jeanette was "somewhat of a legend" because she was a female missionary doctor, she treated nearly every missionary in the area at one time or another, and because of her great love for the Nigerian people.
This is a totally fascinating and inspiring book, and although somewhat difficult to find, it is worth tracking it down!
Although this book is not "a Christian book," per se, the faith of the missionaries in the power of prayer and the sovereignty of God is clearly portrayed throughout the book. Of special interest to me is knowing close relatives of Dr. Jeanette Troup, medical director of the SIM hospital, who also lost her life at age 46 to Lassa fever in 1970. After cutting her finger while doing an autopsy on one of the first victims, she made this statement at a prayer meeting: "What if the Lord should decide to take me away by a virus, for example? It is His will that decides this, not mine." At the time Dr. Troup made this statement, only one other person was aware that she had cut her finger and of the very real possibility that she would get the disease. One of her fellow missionaries who was present at her funeral told me that Dr. Jeanette was "somewhat of a legend" because she was a female missionary doctor, she treated nearly every missionary in the area at one time or another, and because of her great love for the Nigerian people.
This is a totally fascinating and inspiring book, and although somewhat difficult to find, it is worth tracking it down!
December 29, 2014
I read an abbreviated version of this book in my mom's "Readers Digest" when I was a kid and was fascinated by this story. When Ebola panic erupted this fall, I remembered this book and was able to find a copy at the library. By the time I finished, the Ebola pains was over. There is much similarity between the events in this book and the Ebola "crisis" this past fall and it wasn't media panic. This book tells the tale of the first recorded cases of Lassa fever, a virus similar to Ebola, which broke out in the late 1960s. Some of the earliest victims were American missionaries, one of whom was brought to the U.S. for treatment. Two lab workers in New York were infected, one of whom died. Many feared the disease would spread, given the increase in air travel. Like Ebola, there is no cure for Lassa fever, although giving patients blood from survivors helps with recovery. Unlike Ebola, the Lassa fever case did not cause the level hysteria experienced last fall. Of course there was no internet, 24 hour media or election at the time of Lassa. As for the book, it is well written and straight forward; the science is simple. Much of the book centers on those who fought the Lassa outbreaks, both in Africa and in labs in the U.S. While not quite a medical thriller it was an interesting read.
December 17, 2021
Gripping true story
I was recommended this book by a certain Professor Vincent Racaniello, an American virologist and really interesting person who hosts a YouTube channel about viruses called This week in virology, amongst other interesting productions.
He said that this was the book that had got him interested in virology and now having read it myself I can see why.
The author tells the story exceptionally well and in vivid detail and you don't have to be a virologist to understand it, it's a book that writes warmly about the people involved and brings a great humanity to an exceptionally frightening virus and the effects of it.
I was recommended this book by a certain Professor Vincent Racaniello, an American virologist and really interesting person who hosts a YouTube channel about viruses called This week in virology, amongst other interesting productions.
He said that this was the book that had got him interested in virology and now having read it myself I can see why.
The author tells the story exceptionally well and in vivid detail and you don't have to be a virologist to understand it, it's a book that writes warmly about the people involved and brings a great humanity to an exceptionally frightening virus and the effects of it.
November 4, 2018
Loved it. A real page turned packed with scientific detail that will engage both scientists and enthusiastic readers alike.
December 25, 2023
I was the Peace Corps doctor in Sierra Leone who visited the hospital in Panguma on my first long trip around the country during the Summer of 1972 visiting, immunizing, educating and treating volunteers. The sisters at Panguma who were a wonderful group told me of problems they were having with the deaths of a few OB patients and illness and a death in their hospital staff. They were q uite concerned. It happened, by chance, that I had read an NYT news article in the cafeteria of Harborview Hospital in Seattle earlier in the year describing the experience with a new disease, Lassa, in Zorzor Liberia.
So I was sort of aware of Lassa but in those days you couldn’t get instance advice by phone or communicate by email so I sent a letter to the CDC explaining what I had found and asked whether it could be Lassa. The letter somehow got to Tom Monath a virologist, who later led their team of researchers. He and the CDC literally chased down one of the surviving sisters who had been sent back to Ireland for recovery and did serologic studies which confirmed that she had been infected with Lassa.
At the time we literally knew nothing of the disease. The CDC sent the team including an entomologist, epidemiologist, small animal veterinarian and virologists arrived in Sierra Leone that fall and it was their studies that nailed down the animal vector; the means of transmission and began studying treatment alternatives. Fraser DW, Campbell CC, Monath TP, Goff PA, Gregg MB. Lassa fever in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, 1970–1972. I. Epidemiologic studies. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1974;23:1131–9.
After identifying the problem we moved the volunteers who had been assigned to that area to other parts of the country and fortunately never had a problem with Lassa in our volunteer groups. Subsequently the CDC supported and partially funding a continuing research and monitoring team in Sierra Leone. And over the years the CDC and other health agencies have supported continuing research that has improved the diagnosis and treatment of the disease which is endemic to Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa.
The book fever struck me as being more histrionic than the reality of the living and working in the area. But it did cover background of the discovery of the disease in Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Those wonderful Irish nuns and their local staff were the real heros of this saga, they stayed on for many years until their hospital was destroyed in the civil wars of the 90’s.
So I was sort of aware of Lassa but in those days you couldn’t get instance advice by phone or communicate by email so I sent a letter to the CDC explaining what I had found and asked whether it could be Lassa. The letter somehow got to Tom Monath a virologist, who later led their team of researchers. He and the CDC literally chased down one of the surviving sisters who had been sent back to Ireland for recovery and did serologic studies which confirmed that she had been infected with Lassa.
At the time we literally knew nothing of the disease. The CDC sent the team including an entomologist, epidemiologist, small animal veterinarian and virologists arrived in Sierra Leone that fall and it was their studies that nailed down the animal vector; the means of transmission and began studying treatment alternatives. Fraser DW, Campbell CC, Monath TP, Goff PA, Gregg MB. Lassa fever in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, 1970–1972. I. Epidemiologic studies. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1974;23:1131–9.
After identifying the problem we moved the volunteers who had been assigned to that area to other parts of the country and fortunately never had a problem with Lassa in our volunteer groups. Subsequently the CDC supported and partially funding a continuing research and monitoring team in Sierra Leone. And over the years the CDC and other health agencies have supported continuing research that has improved the diagnosis and treatment of the disease which is endemic to Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa.
The book fever struck me as being more histrionic than the reality of the living and working in the area. But it did cover background of the discovery of the disease in Sierra Leone and elsewhere. Those wonderful Irish nuns and their local staff were the real heros of this saga, they stayed on for many years until their hospital was destroyed in the civil wars of the 90’s.
November 14, 2020
John Fuller chronicles the story of the race to identify a virus and the cause of it. While many books have been written about the discovery of a virus/disease and the fight against it (such as Smallpox), this is probably one of the first, besides Ebola and Marburg, which I have read which discussed all the aspects of how the scientists, doctors, researchers tried to get to the bottom of what was causing a virus that was initially confused with Yellow fever. Of interest was reading the earlier clinical methods of working in the hot labs and the methodology utilized to perform various tests to try and determine how lethal something was and at what strength.
While Lassa appeared to have sprung up in Africa, it had the chance to touch the lives of Americans and the results were devastating for some. Through good scientific methods and previous experience with other hot agents and survivors, Fuller's book recounts how an international team fought (and probably continue to fight) to save the lives of villagers on the African continent.
While Lassa appeared to have sprung up in Africa, it had the chance to touch the lives of Americans and the results were devastating for some. Through good scientific methods and previous experience with other hot agents and survivors, Fuller's book recounts how an international team fought (and probably continue to fight) to save the lives of villagers on the African continent.
March 23, 2020
Absolutely riveting reading, especially about the people involved and the scientific sleuthing to track down this terrible illness. Especially interesting considering what we are going through right now with COVID-19. I read this book a number of years ago, pulled it out a couple of days ago, and was not able to put it down until finishing it. My only criticism is that the end of the book is so sudden that the reader feels a little "dropped off the shelf." I highly recommend this, especially for people who like scientific books that are geared to the general public.
November 8, 2024
This book tells the story of the discovery of Lassa fever virus in Nigeria in the late 1960s. I consider this one of the original medical nonfiction thrillers about viral hemorrhagic fevers, like Ebola, in the pre-"Hot Zone" period. The narrative is not as compelling (or thrilling) as bigger best sellers in this genre, because it lacks the embellishment and gore; however, it is definitely worth the read. I still enjoyed it and learned a lot.
August 29, 2018
I’m giving this book two stars. It’s difficult to read. In addition to that, I’m not sure how credible the author is. I know his other works are far too credulous for my taste. I love virology and I think this story needed to be told, however,I wish someone else told it.
February 10, 2022
Couldn't put it down. An interesting look into virology in this time of pandemic.
December 24, 2015
Very interesting book. Completely unlike a novel, where you have a villain and hero. This book tracks the discovery of the Lassa fever virus all the way through identification of its host and several outbreaks. The novel it's very complete in showing the progress of the virus in its victims, as well as the process of like indication in the laboratory. There are many sections devoted to alternative viruses, such as yellow fever, but this shows you just how difficult it was to isolate the Lassa fever virus and the identification of a Lassa fever outbreak.
If you want typical novel with twists and turns, you need to look elsewhere. This book is more geared towards people with a medical background or who enjoy a documentary style novel. Very well written and very interesting. By the end of the book, you almost feel like you are ready for medical school. 8.5 out of 10.
If you want typical novel with twists and turns, you need to look elsewhere. This book is more geared towards people with a medical background or who enjoy a documentary style novel. Very well written and very interesting. By the end of the book, you almost feel like you are ready for medical school. 8.5 out of 10.
February 7, 2015
A good read, a true story. Medical missions. The book is from 1973 and one of the things that really struck me about it is how much the events that took place reminded me of the fairly recent Ebola crisis in Africa.
I had no idea how complicated the medical protocols are for identifying new viruses and their causes, the "index" (first) patient with the disease and the sleuthing that takes place to find out where the disease originally came from. I found the book intriguing.
I had no idea how complicated the medical protocols are for identifying new viruses and their causes, the "index" (first) patient with the disease and the sleuthing that takes place to find out where the disease originally came from. I found the book intriguing.
November 20, 2016
Interesting book for anybody that wishes to go on a medical mission trip. At times the book just rambled on about microbiology and this can be boring for those who are not big fans of the subject. However it provided a lot of information about how hard it is to identify and isolate a virus. The thing that kept me reading was wondering who would die next and if the culprit was Lassa fever.
August 5, 2016
I read this book twice around 1979, it is a must read. It is wonderfully well written, I hope they put it on kindle because I would definitely love to read it again. Our library has not lent it out in years.
April 19, 2012
A fascinating insight into virus hunting, especially to look back and see how lassa took part in and pushed the development of safety protocol. Though the book is dated at times in the authors outlook.
May 25, 2008
I need to read this book as research for a science fiction story I'm writing. I read the condensed Reader's Digest version when I was a kid. I'm sure the book will pass the test of time.
February 13, 2017
Gripping book about the discovery of Lhasa fever.
Want to read
December 19, 2008Definitely hope I can locate a copy of this one.
August 18, 2010
This book is amazing and keeps you on edge. If you're a science buff, read it!
August 12, 2010
The story of the emergence of Lass Fever in Nigeria in 1969. Really good presentation of the people involved and the developments. A little too technical at times I thought.
May 16, 2011
Really good! This was the real life story of the discovery of the Lassa virus, which showed up in missionary nurses in Africa in 1969. Crazy story, and really well-written.
July 5, 2014
Great telling of the Lassa virus discovery and impact in West Africa.
July 29, 2014
I am a virus fanatic, and this book only made me worse....;) As the blurb said: reads like a Crichton thriller. Only difference is, it really happened.
May 19, 2016
Interesting story, but the writing is just too convoluted. It gives a good account of what went on during the hunt for that virus, but also rambles on a lot at times.
December 28, 2017
This is the true story of the identification of the deadly tropical disease Lassa fever in the early 1970s, and is more terrifying than fiction about such matters. My parents and I knew Dr. John Frame, one of the principal researchers, as he was employed by the Christian and Missionary Alliance to give missionaries pre- and post-field medical examinations and to collect blood and stool samples to screen us for tropical diseases.
The author, John Grant Fuller, did careful research in West Africa and in the US, reconstructing the story as though it were a mystery novel. I am particularly impressed with the respectful restraint he uses in his descriptions of devout Evangelical missionaries, a group all too often savagely charicatured by other writers. Fuller treats them as a good anthropologist would, describing their quirks and behaviors but not ridiculing them.
The author, John Grant Fuller, did careful research in West Africa and in the US, reconstructing the story as though it were a mystery novel. I am particularly impressed with the respectful restraint he uses in his descriptions of devout Evangelical missionaries, a group all too often savagely charicatured by other writers. Fuller treats them as a good anthropologist would, describing their quirks and behaviors but not ridiculing them.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews