Why Do Viruses Kill?

Just months ago, the world stood in fear of an emerging new disease that threatened to kill millions. A new flu variant H1N1 had arrived. In the UK alone, 65,000 deaths were predicted. Yet to date, these dire warnings have not materialised. If this latest pandemic has taught anything, it is just how little is understood about the invisible world of viruses. But that has not stopped scientists trying. Horizon follows the leading researchers from across the world, who are attempting to unravel the many secrets of viruses to understand when and why they kill.

Other episodes for this season

Do I Drink Too Much?
Episode 1 - Do I Drink Too Much?
The Secret You
Episode 2 - The Secret You
Fix Me
Episode 3 - Fix Me
Who's Afraid of a Big Black Hole?
Episode 4 - Who's Afraid of a Big Bla...
Why Do We Talk?
Episode 5 - Why Do We Talk?
How Long is a Piece of String?
Episode 6 - How Long is a Piece of St...
The Secret Life of the Dog
Episode 7 - The Secret Life of the Do...
Why Do Viruses Kill?
Episode 8 - Why Do Viruses Kill?
Pill Poppers
Episode 9 - Pill Poppers
Don't Grow Old
Episode 10 - Don't Grow Old
To Infinity and Beyond
Episode 11 - To Infinity and Beyond
What Makes a Genius?
Episode 12 - What Makes a Genius?
Did Cooking Make Us Human?
Episode 13 - Did Cooking Make Us Human...
Is Everything We Know About the Universe Wrong?
Episode 14 - Is Everything We Know Abo...