Novartis vaccines executive discusses ‘Contagion’ and the real risks of viruses

The movie “Contagion” is fiction, but ask Novartis (NYSE:NVS) executive Russell Thirsk and he’ll tell you the threats it depicts are quite real.

For those who don’t know, “Contagion” tells the story of the worldwide spread of a virulent virus that goes on to kill millions. Thirsk is site head of Novartis’ new vaccine facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina. The vaccine plant was designed to be able to respond to pandemics.

Thirsk admits he hasn’t seen the movie but he is familiar with it. And while he cautions that movies take some liberties to tell a dramatic tale, a pandemic is still possible. Interactions between humans and animals can spark a new virus that spreads.

“The risks are real, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

Here’s more about what Thirsk said about “Contagion” and viruses: