On Wednesday, March 2, 2005, John M. Barry, an award-winning historian and author of The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the 1918 Pandemic will hold a special lecture and book signing at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. During this time of heightened concern over the potential spread of a human form of avian flu, Mr. Barry will discuss the lessons learned from the 1918 flu pandemic and how they apply to the present day. He’ll also touch on current events and pandemic preparedness. The 1918 influenza pandemic killed more people in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in 24 years and marked the first collision between modern science and epidemic disease. Mr. Barry's book is a story of how some of the greatest scientists America has ever produced confronted the disease, and of how the work they performed ultimately led to one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. Bioterrorism, emerging viruses and vaccine shortages make it all-too-relevant today. Mr. Barry has advised the World Health Organization, theU.S. Defense Department and the Central Intelligence Agency on influenza and bioterrorism. He is also the author of four previous books, including the highly acclaimed Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America. Reporters interested in attending should contact Kenna Lowe at 410-955-6878. Parking is available in the garage located at Washington and Monument streets.
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