It has been revealed that Steven Soderbergh's new sci-fi film might come true after all, as a scientist warned the story wasn't too far from reality.
Starring Matt Damon, Contagion concentrates on a team of international doctors who are asked to help deal with the outbreak of a deadly disease. But according to Dr Ian Lipkin, a professor of epidemiology, neurology and pathology at Columbia University in New York, the plot of the film comes close to reality.
During an interview with The Observer, Lipkin said: "Scientists have been accused of overreacting and crying wolf over the threat of virus outbreaks after the influenza pandemic of 2009. Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) didn’t progress beyond a few locations, but outbreaks and pandemics will occur and we need to get our heads out of the sand and realise the real risks that we face. More than three-quarters of all emerging infectious diseases originate when microbes jump from wildlife to humans."
He added: "Our vulnerability to such diseases has been heightened by the growth in international travel and the globalisation of food production. In addition, deforestation and urbanisation continue to displace wildlife, increasing the probability that wild creatures will come into contact with domesticated animals and humans."
Also starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne and Jude Law, the film concentrates on the fast growing epidemic and medical community who joins forces to find a cure to control the spreading panic.
Contagion was released friday in the UK.
'Contagion' Film Stills
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