Synopsis

When a deadly virus emerges in Africa, Army virologist Sam Daniels discovers that it has reached the United States through an infected monkey. As the disease spreads through a small California town, Daniels and CDC scientist Robby Keough race to identify the virus, find a cure, and prevent military authorities from destroying the town to contain the outbreak.

Factoids & Trivia

• The fictional Motaba virus was inspired by real Ebola outbreaks and other incidents involving hemorrhagic fever. The screenplay was original, although it became closely associated with Richard Preston's book The Hot Zone.

• The virus image shown during the film is actually a photograph of an Ebola strain, rather than a representation of the fictional Motaba virus.

• Scenes set in Cedar Creek were filmed in Ferndale, California. The production spent nearly two months there, with military tanks and helicopters becoming part of the town's daily surroundings.

• Additional filming took place at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah and on Kauai, Hawaii.

• Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson were reportedly offered the role of Sam Daniels before it went to Dustin Hoffman.

• The film opened in the United States on March 10, 1995, while a real Ebola outbreak was occurring in Zaire, creating an especially timely backdrop for its release.

• Outbreak experienced a major resurgence in interest during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 13, 2020, it ranked among Netflix's most-watched films in the United States.