70 year olds too have their own virus stories outside the 40 year period you mention. Especially 1957 and 1968 (indian context). Biowarfare paranoia aside, I do

70 year olds too have their own virus stories outside the 40 year period you mention. Especially 1957 and 1968 (indian context). Biowarfare paranoia aside, I don’t think there is anything special about the modern era when it comes to the genesis of new viruses.