Health
The search for ‘patient zero’ and why tracing disease outbreaks is so complicated – ABC News
The media loves a detective story, but tracking down “patient zero” is just one part of pandemic control.

Tracking down the source of a disease outbreak is important.
It helps us to answer questions about how and when people first become sick, and to slow the spread of infection, both now and in future outbreaks.
But recent revelations about Victoria’s coronavirus hotel quarantine program at the centre of the state’s devastating COVID-19 wave are a reminder that outbreaks are often more complicated than they seem.
So what’s the value in trying to find “patient zero”? And what else needs to be con…
-
Noosa News14 hours ago
How Lily Steele-Park took her rapist to court and won
-
Business19 hours ago
Ford CEO makes stunning prediction about artificial intelligence
-
General20 hours ago
Rush to buy homes before rate cuts send prices soaring
-
Business16 hours ago
5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday 8 July 2025