Killer Outbreaks Season 1 Episode 6
Killer Outbreaks
Season 1

Ep 6. Valley of Death

  • TV-PG
  • September 12, 2011
  • 43 min

In Killer Outbreaks season 1 episode 6, titled "Valley of Death," viewers are taken on a journey through the deadly hantavirus outbreak that occurred in the Four Corners region of the United States in 1993.

The episode begins with the story of a Navajo man who became ill after cleaning out a deer mouse infested trailer. He was taken to the hospital, where he was misdiagnosed and released without treatment. Soon after, he died from what was later discovered to be hantavirus.

As more and more people in the Four Corners region began to fall ill with mysterious symptoms, doctors and researchers struggled to identify the cause of the outbreak. The stakes were high, as the disease was killing more than half of those infected and there was no known cure.

Viewers are introduced to Dr. Terry Yates, who was instrumental in identifying hantavirus as the cause of the outbreak. He explains how the virus is transmitted through the urine, feces, and saliva of infected rodents like deer mice. Humans become infected by breathing in the virus-contaminated dust from places where these rodents have been.

The episode explores the devastating impact the outbreak had on the Navajo Nation, which was hit particularly hard by the disease. The Navajo culture values communal living and respect for the dead, which presented challenges in containing the outbreak. Traditional funeral practices involving washing and clothing the dead also put relatives of the deceased at risk of contracting the disease. The community came together to create new protocols for handling the dead during the outbreak.

Through harrowing interviews with survivors of the outbreak, viewers get a glimpse into the intense suffering caused by hantavirus. Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath, which can quickly escalate to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Once a patient reaches this stage, the chances of survival are slim.

The episode also highlights the heroic efforts of medical professionals and researchers who worked tirelessly to stop the outbreak. The team of scientists led by Dr. Yates collected extensive data on the outbreak, eventually tracing it back to the deer mouse population in the Four Corners region. They were also able to develop a way to test for hantavirus and create a protocol for treating infected patients.

"Valley of Death" is a chilling reminder of the potential for deadly outbreaks to wreak havoc on communities and the importance of swift and effective action in controlling and containing infectious diseases. It is also a testament to the resilience of those who survived and the dedication of those who worked to stop the outbreak.

Description
Watch Killer Outbreaks - Valley of Death (s1 e6) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Killer Outbreaks, Season 1 Episode 6, is available to watch and stream on Animal Planet. You can also buy, rent Killer Outbreaks on demand at Discovery+, Amazon Prime, Philo, Amazon, Animal Planet, FuboTV, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    September 12, 2011
  • Content Rating
    TV-PG
  • Runtime
    43 min
  • Language
    English