ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
After Contagion debuted at No. 1 in the box office last weekend, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were impressed at how the film stayed mostly accurate, scientifically.
Douglas Hamilton, Director of Epidemic Intelligence Service, said several experts from the CDC were consulted on aspects of the story, and a few scenes were filmed at the CDC main campus in Atlanta.
The science fiction thriller tells the story of a deadly airborne virus that quickly spreads across the world, infecting and killing hundreds of millions of people.
"Something like this is plausible," said Hamilton. "I think the movie was much more accurate than similar movies I've seen in the past."
He said the movie is a good reminder to people of how effective basic hygiene measures can be.
"For us as public health professionals, it's a great opportunity to let people learn that it's actually important to be aware of ways you can protect yourself. Washing hands, hand sanitizer, covering when you cough, things like that," said Hamilton. "The point is that nature is constantly changing and rearranging viruses and other germs, and so we are constantly being exposed to stuff that's either new or re-emerging."
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