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Among the Ebola Hunters Writer Tom Clynes on Covering Medicine's Most Dangerous Frontier "A body that has just died from the Ebola virus is probably the most lethal thing on Earth," says Adventure contributing editor Tom Clynes, referring to the virus's extreme infectiousness. "In some cases, it's like touching a live grenade." Despite the risks, Clynes traveled with photographer Seamus Murphy to Uganda last October. There an outbreak of the virus—which spreads via bodily fluids and causes death within days—was in the process of claiming 173 lives. The pair shadowed a cadre of local and international medical workers as they battled to contain the virus and unravel its mysteries. For the new article "Dangerous Medicine" (preview), Clynes wanted to learn what drove these men and women to take the risks they did. "I'm not an adrenaline freak," says the New York city-based writer. "I don't cover wars or anything like that." Still, Clynes donned layers of protective gear and entered the isolation wards in Lacor Hospital—the epicenter of the outbreak. At the hospital Clynes met one of the last victims, local doctor Matthew Lukwiya, whose early steps to diagnose and contain the outbreak likely saved countless lives. Fatigue likely caused "Dr. Matthew" to make a simple mistake while treating a patient and become infected. "I was worried I was going to make a mistake, too," says Clynes. —Sean Markey Photograph by Seamus Murphy | ||||||
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May/June 2001:
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Audio
Photography Field Guide