Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic

David Quammen investigates the science of zoonosis, the process by which a pathogen jumps from a non-human animal to a human host. He tracks the origins of specific viruses including Ebola, SARS, HIV, and Nipah, following researchers into jungles and high-security laboratories to find where these diseases hide between outbreaks. The narrative details how human behaviors like deforestation, wildlife consumption, and global travel create the ecological pressure necessary for "spillover" events. Quammen identifies the reservoir hosts—often bats, primates, or rodents—and explains the biological mechanics of how an infection transitions into a pandemic.

This book serves readers interested in epidemiology, conservation biology, and public health. It appeals to those who want a technical yet accessible explanation of how viruses evolve and spread through modern populations. Readers gain an understanding of the mathematical models used to predict viral transmission and the ecological interconnectedness between humans and wild animals. By the end, the reader recognizes that human health is inseparable from the health of the planet's ecosystems, providing a framework for anticipating future biological threats through the lens of evolutionary biology.