From pig to farm worker and back to pig — that’s the path of the perfect swine flu virus. Likewise, chickens, turkeys, geese and birds are hot zones for pandemic flu viruses. In the past, when governments grew concerned about a particular flu, they would quarantine or even kill animals that carry a suspect virus. Now animal health and public health authorities are collaborating on more extensive bio-security. Veteran producer Lakshmi Singh visits farms, fairs and clinics, to find out how surveillance is preparing for the next pandemic. She talks with infectious disease experts Dr. Ruben Donis of the Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, and the University of Hong Kong's Dr. Malik Peiris, who's been on the frontlines of viral outbreaks and helped to identify SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome. These experts agree that animal surveillance is key to prevent pandemics. But they also point to a need to change the way humans interact with swine and poultry. And that may prove to be a harder challenge.

The Soundprint documentary series features the best work of top radio producers. The award winning documentaries are renowned for drawing the listener into the story with compelling interviews, authentic voices and rich sound. From memoirs to science, health and popular culture, Soundprint creates a powerful experience the listener will not soon forget. Flu Pandemic is part of a Soundprint mini-series called The World of Viruses, supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. Here are some other programs in the series:

The Clinic Produced by: Gemma Hooley

Foot and Mouth Disease Produced by: Judith Kampfner

HPV — The Shy Virus Produced by: Jean Snedegar

Measles: What's at Stake Produced by: Barbara Bogaev

Mosquitoes in Iquitos Produced by Dan Charles

Soundprint Executive Producer: Moira Rankin

Audio Engineer: Jared Weissbrot

Science Editor: Barbara Culliton

Production Assistant: Erica Poon

Production Assistant: Eric Schaffer