pox

I am currently reading The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston (author of Ebola outbreak taleThe Hot Zone and bioterrorism novelThe Cobra Event). In his recent book he leaves his tales of Ebola behind and tackles the trials and triumphs in the eradication of the devastating smallpox virus.

The writing in this book is what I would like to call terse and simple to the point of being barok. Preston shies away from any complicated descriptions and medical/microbiological jargon even explaining what a swab kit is and how to pronounce certain words and names (USAMRIID, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease is pronounced “you-sam-rid”, and epidemiologist Dr. Werhle’s name sounds like whirly). Although it has been a while since I’ve read The Hot Zone I would say that the storytelling is entirely different. Preston opts to be more factual and descriptive in his writing rather than creating a sensational narration. I have yet to finish reading a third of the book so my opinion is still subject to change.

I was initially struck by Preston’s description of smallpox or the variola virus.

“Experts in pox find the pox virion mathematical in its structure and breathtakingly beautiful.”

The pox is a large and complex virus with about 200 proteins. In contrast, the HIV has only 10 proteins and has a simpler natural design.

“HIV is a bicycle, while smallpox is a Cadillac loaded with tail fins and every option in the book.”

While it is difficult to picture out at first how small the pox virus is, electron micrographs and Woodstock music festival analogies more than suffice to enlighten the reader.

Having been published in 2002, Preston chose to start with the 2001 anthrax scare in which anthrax spores were mailed to offices of Senator Tom Daschle, NBC, CBS, ABC, American Media and New York Post. It is remarkable to note that until now that anthrax case is yet to be resolved.


[I’m reading a non-school related book on a weekday before the finals just because it keeps me sane. Then again, maybe I’m just procrastinating and using this reading activity as a delaying tactic before moving on to more serious reading. Yep, that must be it.]