An Epidemic of History

Published: Feb. 14, 2020, 9 p.m.

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"We have been here before, many times" writes Sarah Dunant as she charts some key moments in history when the world has been gripped by fear over the spread of disease.

From Columbus and the outbreak of syphilis in 1495, to cholera at Mecca in the 1860s ....and Wuhan today.

She ponders what insights this present crisis might bring.

Producer: Adele Armstrong

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