Flu Hunter: Unlocking the secrets of a virus

by Robert G. Webster

When a new influenza virus emerges that is able to be transmitted between humans, it spreads globally as a pandemic, often with high mortality. Enormous social disruption and substantial economic cost can result. The 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic was undoubtedly the most devastating influenza pandemic to date, and it has been Webster’s life’s work to figure out how and why. In so doing he has made a remarkable contribution to our understanding of the evolution of influenza viruses and how to control them. A century on, Flu Hunter is a gripping account of the tenacious scientific detective work involved in revealing the secrets of this killer virus. Could a global influenza pandemic occur again? Webster’s "... it is not only possible, it is just a matter of when."

Genres: History, Science, Nonfiction

220 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2018

Reviews

[James Hull]

Prescient is an understatement. Written by a leading virologist who tells the story of pursuing his hunches for decades and finally—I won’t ruin it. It’s written in narrative and doesn’t gloss over the details, rather explains them simply, as only someone who truly grasps the concepts could.

From Wikipedia: “Robert G Webster is an avian influenza authority who correctly posited that pandemic strains of flu arise from genes in flu virus strains in nonhumans; for example, via a reassortment of genetic segments between viruses in humans and nonhumans (especially birds) rather than by mutation in annual human flu strains.”

[Robert Wallace]

Robert Webster, a retired virologist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, spins an engrossing personal story of 50 years of research on flu viruses. By sharing his personal stories along with just the right amount of scientific details, Webster has created a highly readable and enjoyable account of what we know, as well as what we do not know, about the varieties of flu viruses and their impact on the human population. Much of what he shares is applicable to our understanding of the present situation with the COVID-19 viral pandemic. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in medical research and the scientists who delve into its mysteries.

[Sunny]

This is a perfect book to learn potential danger of influenza and understand on-going avian flu issues.
While the story telling is a bit stilted and awkward, it is interesting to follow how the trajectory of research evolve.

[Wendy Apps]

Interesting and scary. It is only a matter of time until the human race is wiped out by mutating flu viruses. A good thing perhaps.

[Josh B]

Drags sometimes but interesting to know the recent history of influenza and its basis in wild birds. Topical. Glad I read it.

[Kathryn K]

Meh. Pretty verbose, seemingly unnecessarily. Interesting read but better to skim.