Human Nature: Science, Technology, and Life.

Swine Flu and Heat Scanners

Six years ago, when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome swept the world, governments bought thermal image scanners and set them up at airports. The idea was to spot overheated travelers and check them for fever before they infected others. Now the machines are being deployed again, this time to catch swine flu. But dozens of thermal imagers in Canada and Australia are sitting unused. ...

SARS and bird flu weren't the last plagues to spread across our planet. This flu won't be the last, either. Fortunately, all these viruses have one thing in common: fever. For now, late as it is, that heat signature is our best shot at catching them. Let's use it.

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