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Even big diseases start small. The series Patient Zero traces how disease outbreaks begin and why they happen.
Over eight episodes, you'll follow disease detectives around the globe working to solve medical mysteries.
Patient Zero is a season from the ABC Science archives presented by reporter Olivia Willis.
Outbreaks (Season 8)
From mystery illnesses to flesh-eating bacteria and the looming threat of bird flu — outbreaks can push scientists, communities and health systems to their limits. In Outbreaks, science presenter Belinda Smith looks back on some of the disease outbreaks that shaped Australia.
Dead and Alive (Season 7)
Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? Science reporter Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.
Artemis Explained (Season 6)
In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We track the Artemis II mission in real time, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. Science reporter Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki bring you the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4)
Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3)
How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2)
Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1)
AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
Over eight episodes, you'll follow disease detectives around the globe working to solve medical mysteries.
Patient Zero is a season from the ABC Science archives presented by reporter Olivia Willis.
Outbreaks (Season 8)
From mystery illnesses to flesh-eating bacteria and the looming threat of bird flu — outbreaks can push scientists, communities and health systems to their limits. In Outbreaks, science presenter Belinda Smith looks back on some of the disease outbreaks that shaped Australia.
Dead and Alive (Season 7)
Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? Science reporter Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.
Artemis Explained (Season 6)
In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We track the Artemis II mission in real time, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. Science reporter Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki bring you the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4)
Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3)
How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2)
Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1)
AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
349 Episodes
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It's the incursion we've been dreading. H5N1 bird flu has arrived in Australia.But this strain circulated the globe for decades before it landed on our shores.How has the risk to humans changed since the virus emerged? And what aren't we prepared for?Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Dr Jarrod HodgsonWildlife biologist, Australian Antarctic DivisionDr Vidya BhardwajResearch scientist in emergency animal disease, Australian Centre for Disease PreparednessProfessor Kirsty ShortProfessor of Virology, University of QueenslandDr Jason LombardVeterinary epidemiologist, Colorado State UniversityAdditional audio of Heard Island courtesy of the Australian Antarctic Division.Presenter: Belinda SmithProducer: Shelby TraynorSenior Producer: James BullenExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim Jenkins
It starts as a mozzie bite ... but then it turns into something much worse.And the search for a cause stretches back decades.How did flesh-eating bacteria come to be in Melbourne's inner suburbs?And what do possums have to do with it?Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:KylahMelbourneProfessor Paul JohnsonInfectious diseases physician, Austin Health and University of MelbourneProfessor Tim StinearMolecular microbiologist, Doherty Institute and University of MelbourneDr Veronique ParisMedical entomologist, University of MelbournePresenter: Belinda SmithProducer: Shelby TraynorSenior Producer: James BullenExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsMore information:Breaking Buruli - Science Friction
In 2021, four people across four different parts of the United States fall ill.They all have the same disease — a life-threatening bacterial infection.But the weird thing is they haven't travelled anywhere. And the bug that causes the infection isn't found in the US.So how did they get it?This handful of cases kicks off a disease investigation with roots that stretch back to northern Australia.Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Dr Julia PetrasEpidemiologist, US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDr Mindy ElrodMicrobiologist, US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWill MisiSupport worker, CairnsDr Josh HansonGeneral and infectious diseases physician, CairnsDr Ella MeumannInfectious diseases physician; Clinical microbiologist, Menzies School of Health Research, DarwinPresenter: Belinda SmithProducer: Shelby TraynorSenior Producer: James BullenExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim Jenkins
In 2000, people who visited the Melbourne Aquarium started to get sick. Really sick.This outbreak would go on to become the largest of its kind in Australia.This story goes back 50 years to a mystery that stumped scientists in Philadelphia. How did they crack the case, and why are we still struggling to stop this disease?Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Professor Robert PromisloffClinical Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Drexel UniversityDr Jane GreigEpidemiologist, Burnet Institute and Médecins Sans FrontièresDr Verlaine TimmsMicrobiologist, University of Newcastle and University of Western SydneyStephen WalshLawyerPresenter: Belinda SmithProducer: Shelby TraynorSenior Producer: James BullenExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim Jenkins
From mystery illnesses to flesh-eating bacteria and the looming threat of bird flu — outbreaks can push scientists, communities and health systems to their limits. For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Belinda Smith looks back on some of the disease outbreaks that shaped Australia.Hear about the scientists racing to find answers, the unusual diseases they're hunting, and the everyday people caught in the middle.Outbreaks is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out Wednesday October 14th.
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