How was Mitch Emhoff immune to the disease?
In the movie Contagion, it is shown that the character Mitch Emhoff was immune to the deadly virus which was spreading.
- Mitch's wife Beth dies almost within a day after reaching home.
- Mitch's son dies the very same day when Mitch is on his way home from the hospital where Beth just expired.
- While accompanying his daughter Mitch is never seen wearing a mask, which proves that he himself believed that he was immune.
Back in Minnesota, still in quarantine, Mitch asks Mears if he is immune since he has not shown any symptoms and he also asks why they cannot use his blood to make a vaccine. Mears tells him even though his intentions are noble, plasma vaccines are tricky and time consuming to make and are not guaranteed to work Source
In the rest of the plot, this issue about Mitch not having symptoms even being in close proximity with his wife and son, is not addressed.
Hence my question: Was Mitch really immune? If so, how come he was the only character who was immune when the whole world was falling apart due to this virus outbreak?
Best Answer
It's inferred in the movie that he just been told he's immune by the doctor. She specifically says that he cannot get sick.
MITCH: If I'm immune, can't you use my blood to cure this?
MEARS: Blood serums can take a long time to make, and are very expensive.>But the good news here is that you're not going to get sick.
The first sentence here indicates he's asking about something he's just be told.
In the rest of the plot, this issue about Mitch not having symptoms even being in close proximity with his wife and son, is not addressed.
If he's immune then proximity is not an issue.
Being immune means he can't be infected.
We vaccinate people by giving them a mild form of the disease or similar disease so that their bodies become immune by teaching their body to create the necessary antibodies to resist the disease. In some cases people have natural immunity.
If so, how come he was the only character who was immune when the whole world was falling apart due to this virus outbreak?
He wasn't...
..as is stated in the movie
Other scientists determine the virus is spread by fomites, with a basic reproduction number of four when the virus mutates, with projections of one in twelve of the population being infected, and a 25-30% mortality rate.
It's the nature of a virus that a proportion of the population will be immune to it. The amount of that proportion varies from virus to virus.
Pictures about "How was Mitch Emhoff immune to the disease?"
How was Mitch immune in Contagion?
It's inferred in the movie that he just been told he's immune by the doctor. She specifically says that he cannot get sick. MITCH: If I'm immune, can't you use my blood to cure this? MEARS: Blood serums can take a long time to make, and are very expensive.>How did Beth get the virus in Contagion?
One bat finds shelter in a pig farm and drops an infected piece of banana that is then consumed by a pig. The pig is then slaughtered and is prepared by a chef in a Macau casino, who, without washing his hands, transmits the virus to Beth via a handshake.Who is Mitch Emhoff in Contagion?
Mitch Emhoff is the widower of Beth Emhoff, step-father of Clark Morrow and the father of Jory Emhoff. He is portrayed by Matt Damon.What disease is the movie Contagion based on?
Nipah virus inspired the film "Contagion." We're testing a vaccine. Nipah virus has pandemic and bioterrorism potential. A vaccine candidate is undergoing Phase 1 trial. In an interconnected world, viruses aren't limited by borders.How Infection Spread | Contagion
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