"I National Geographic Channel premieres 'Microkillers Week' Kicking off this Sunday, 26 February with 'Superflu', an episode that examines the potential dangers of diseases like the Avian Flu
New Delhi, Friday, February 24, 2006: National Geographic Channel presents 'Microkillers Week', a series that looks at the increasingly lethal nature of new breed of viruses, hinting that the world may be poised on the edge of a global pandemic. The series premieres on Sunday, February 26, 2006 at 8:00 pm with 'Superflu', a programme that will capture the impact of a pandemic like the Avian Bird Flu on an un-expecting world.
Microkillers Week probes into the world of these microorganisms and their virulent nature explaining why and how a pathogen with 1/2500th width of a human hair causes the death of thousands of people.
Superflu, an hour-long special episode will focus on the deadly influenza virus. What makes these pandemics totally unique and frightening? In the 20th century alone, pandemic influenza broke out thrice - 1968, 1957 and the Spanish Flu of 1918. As many as 100 million people perished from the Spanish flu worldwide, making it the greatest natural disaster of all time. When this virus mutates to a pandemic state every single human being is susceptible. Experts say it's only a matter of time before this could happen again.
A similar situation knocks at our door today with the deadly H5N1 virus or the Avian Bird Flu affecting Asia, Africa and certain parts of Europe. Join National Geographic Channel as they follow the story of a fictional woman- 'Patient Zero' who travels around the globe, unknowingly carrying the lethal virus inside her embattled lungs. The programme will show the impact of the deadly strain on the patient and the entire world with nations torn apart and economies in ruins.
What happens to Patient Zero? Why all the influenza viruses originate in South East Asia? What happens when Patient Zero travels to Europe? What happens when a virus brings the entire world to standstill? Superflu answers all these questions and examines the situations created at the outbreak of SARS and the Avian Bird Flu.
Rajesh Sheshadri, Vice President Marketing, National Geographic Channel, India, says, "Microkillers week makes you think again about the dynamic and fragile world we live in. One episode in particular, Superflu takes a completely new look at the challenge we are facing today with the Avian Flu.
The programme goes beyond the effect of the pandemic and looks at factors like origin, transmission and path forward, which are un-known to the common man."
Microkillers Week will focus on other viral threats like Ebola, HIV and Tuberculosis. The series gives a glimpse of what future holds for us in outbreak situations depending upon the way they are handled. The three part series will air from Sunday, February 26 to Tuesday, February 28 with two episodes screened every night, back to back from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. The series will be repeated on March 1, 2 and 3 at 9:00 pm.
Note to the Editor
National Geographic Channel Asia
National Geographic Channel Asia launched on July 1, 1998. Its programming covers adventure and exploration, natural history, science, wildlife and people of the world. The National Geographic Channel is currently distributed to over 30 million 24-hour homes and over 50 million day-part cable homes in Asia Pacific. National Geographic Channel Asia is a business enterprise of National Geographic Television, NBC, and Fox Entertainment Group.
National Geographic Channels International National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) invites viewers to re-think the way they see television - and the world - with smart, innovative programming. A business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television & Film
(NGT&F), FOX Entertainment Group and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education.
Globally, National Geographic Channel (including NGC U.S. which is a joint venture of NGT&F and Fox Cable Networks Group) is available in
over 318 million homes (including day-part households) in 164 countries
and 27 languages.
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For further details, please contact:
Shrey Khetarpal / Niharika Sharma
Genesis Public Relations
Tel: 9811525715 / 9811947452
E-mail: skhetarpal@genesispr.com / nsharma@genesispr.com
