This well researched films describes the power of viruses, which have caused unimaginable suffering and death throughout history. But for all their destructive power, many scientists believe they are the earliest form of life on Earth and responsible for our very existence. Since viruses are here to stay we had better be prepared to deal with them.

It is the virus hunters who are leading the life and death battles against viruses. Ken Stedman hunts extreme viruses who live in the boiling acid pools of Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. Donald Henderson is responsible for wiping out smallpox --it is the only virus that mankind has conquered. Within a year of its eradication AIDS emerged to become a worldwide pandemic. Ebola, Marburg, SARS, West Nile Virus and a host of new infectious diseases soon followed. The film follows Steven Jones, a scientist with WHO, who has been sent to Angola to contain a deadly outbreak of Marburg virus. Kristine Smith is a veterinarian-- a profession that has become the new first line of defense against infectious outbreaks. Close to 75% of new human diseases are transmitted by animals. Smith and her team show that man is bringing these diseases onto himself through illegal and legal wildlife trade, travel, population growth, and environmental destruction.

The documentary also explores such chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and mental illness, which are now suspected of being caused by viruses. Even autism is suspected of being caused by an infection during pregnancy.

A closed captioned version is available. Please specify when ordering.