Catalyst

8:00pm – Thursday, May 17 on ABC1

Pandemics: a Catalyst Special report – how effective is our front line of defence against deadly viruses? How severe is the threat to public health from those who don’t immunise? And the mystery killer that could be blowing in the wind.

Danger Zones Vaccines have vanquished diseases and saved millions of lives. But a band of parents, fuelled by exaggerated fears, outright misinformation or simple complacency, are now reopening the door for known killers. Maryanne Demasi visits Australia’s ‘Danger Zone’.

Virus Hunters Humanity is at greater risk of a deadly pandemic than at any other time in our history. Densely populated cities, air travel and concentrated livestock practices provide the ideal circumstances for contagion.

Standing between us and the next big killer is a team of virus-hunting scientists who are going on the offensive -finding these pathogens before they find us. Graham Phillips dons protective suit and investigates.

Kawasaki Disease After more than 40 years of research, Kawasaki Disease remains a mystery. First diagnosed in Japan by Dr Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967, we don’t know whether it’s a virus, bacteria, or something else. Children can display a bright red rash, red lips, red, bloodshot eyes, swollen painful hands and feet and a swollen neck gland. The real worry is the damaging effect on the heart. It is the most common cause of childhood heart disease in the developed world – including Australia. Mark Horstman investigates a theory that it may be carried on the wind.