As a deadly new virus starts spreading in Wuhan, China, so do rumours about a lab there.
In the remote, jungle-covered hills of China’s far-southwestern Yunnan Province, teams of scientists have spent years intensively researching one animal: bats. The scientists are virus hunters, trying to better understand and mitigate the threat of new viruses jumping from bats to other animals and humans, potentially setting off a pandemic. Their samples of bat droppings are brought back to labs, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology. So when a new coronavirus begins killing people in that same city, questions are raised about whether the people trying to stop a pandemic could’ve accidentally triggered one.
Archive: CBS; The White House; NPR; CGTN; NBC.
Presenter: John SudworthSeries producer: Simon MaybinEditor: Richard VadonSound design and mix: James BeardCommissioning editor: Dan ClarkeScience advice: Julian Siddle and Victoria GillExtra production: Eva Artesona and Kathy LongResearch support: Zisheng Xu and BBC MonitoringProduction coordinators: Siobhan Reed, Helena Warwick-Cross, Sophie Hill, and Debbie RichfordTheme and original music: Pete Cunningham, with trumpet by Joss MurrayRadio 4 Editor of Editorial Standards: Roger MahonyHead of BBC News - Long Form Audio: Emma Rippon
Podchaser is the ultimate destination for podcast data, search, and discovery. Learn More