Hollywood realism becomes infectious

The makers of Contagion enlisted experts to create a realistic epidemic, writes Abigail Zuger. 
 
When Hollywood turns to medicine, accuracy generally heads for the hills. But the creators of the new action thriller Contagion went to unprecedented lengths to fact-check their story of a destructive viral pandemic, retaining a panel of nationally renowned virologists and epidemiologists as consultants. The intent was to infuse the usual hyperbole with an extra frisson: this is the way it could really happen. Be very afraid.   More