Inside the Hot Zone: A Soldier on the Front Lines of Biological Warfare

Inside the Hot Zone is an absolutely fascinating and enjoyable read, notwithstanding the seriousnss of the subject. It is very rare to find a book, especially non-fiction, in which I feel like I am able to learn and follow a new, complex subject matter, while at the same time remain absolutely enthralled. The function of USAMRIID is extremely important to our security. The stories told in this book are a stark reminder of how much goes on behind the scenes, and how many brave people toil away in anonymity, often exposing themselves to great danger, to ensure that the rest of us are protected from biowarfare attacks and other biological (and chemical) threats.

Everyone knows about the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the public agency for America’s defense against germs (my layman term for any disease-creating biologic), but how many know about USAMRIID (U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, pronounced “u-sam-rid”). USAMRIID is the nation’s premier military laboratory for defending against biologic attacks. Such would not be one of nature’s random events but intentional and most likely with weaponized germs. What are weaponized germs? The same contagious, deadly germs nature gives us like botulism, the plague, and smallpox only enhanced through modern genetic engineering to be even more contagious and more deadly. Not only are weaponized biologics designed to beat the defenses of the attacked but also with vaccines to safeguard the attacker. Worried about Wu Han Flu? Ha! Kid’s stuff.Along with harrowing accounts of real and potential outbreaks, Kortepeter gives an overview of biologic weapons that is both succinct and lucid. He likens the most lethal biologics to chess pieces with their various reach (how delivered and spread) and power (lethality). And surprise, some of the best agents don’t kill at all, they only make people sick since care for the sick consumes more of the enemy’s resources than burial of the dead. Yes, this stuff will definitely keep you up at night!Kortepeter led USAMRIID for seven and a half years (over two periods from 1998 to 2009). Since an Army organization, bureaucracy often thwarted USAMRIID’s mission through ignorance of biologics, shortsightedness about the time and resources required to develop vaccines, and at times wrongheaded requirements. In one case for instance, the Army required an inventory system for USAMRIID’s pathogen vials like for bullets. Although when a bullet’s missing it’s missing, a microscopic amount of biologic may be taken from a vial to grow a full armory yet leave the absence from the original viral undetectable. I admired the respectful and matter of fact way Kortepeter explained such bureaucratic challenges without complaint.Inside the Hot Zone gives accounts that are often as dramatic as Hollywood’s fictional outbreak movies. Unlike Hollywood’s movies, Kortepeter’s accounts are real.

What is biological warfare? How does it differ from chemical warfare? Which germs are most likely to be used in an attack? What is the backstory to the post-911 anthrax attacks?....or Ebola outbreaks? What happened during a suspected attack on a sitting US President? How do you protect individuals who handle deadly pathogens on a daily basis?...or soldiers in a combat zone?....or entire populations during a pandemic?Follow Dr. Mark Kortepeter (scientist, physician, soldier) through his illustrious career at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, our nation's main center for biological weapons defense, and you will get answers to these and many more questions. With his clear writing style, Dr. Kortepeter makes technical information easily understandable. Also, he acknowledges the emotions he dealt with in the midst of various infectious disease crises.Anyone who reads this will be better informed about the deadly germs around us and the heroes who help protect us from them.

I couldn't put this book down from beginning to the end. It reads like a thriller but it tells real life (everyday) stories from a military doctor's life.

This is an excellent book. The descriptive real-world accounts of the author’s vast experiences in multiple areas of biopreparedness will appeal to both healthcare workers and the general public. From working in the Level 4 lab to vaccinating soldiers in a combat zone to dealing with quarantine in the notorious USAMRIID ‘Slammer’, the book reads like a collection of stories from an insider point of view. The detailed description of bioterrorism events as well as biological weapon capabilities throughout the world is frightening, and yet intriguing to read about. Highly recommended!