HASLEMERE gained the dubious distinction of having “infected” up to 43 million people across the UK, of whom just under 900,000 would die, according to the worst case scenario revealed in BBC Four’s science experiment Contagion!.

The eagerly awaited programme, which aired at 9pm last Thursday, revealed the results of an app-based simulation of how a deadly virus along the lines of Spanish Flu, which killed up to 100 million, could spread today.

The programme makers chose Haslemere as an ideal close-knit small community to predict how swiftly an outbreak of a deadly contagious virus could spread, after Patient Zero, TV presenter and mathematician Dr Hannah Fry walked its streets.

Volunteers from the town downloaded the BBC Pandemic app for three days in October. They became ‘infected’ when they came into contact with Hannah or fellow residents she had infected and helped spread the disease through the town and nationwide.

The ground-breaking programme was the biggest citizen experiment of its kind, as a further 29,000 volunteers across the country downloaded the app for a period of 24 hours to simulate how the virus spread nationally.

Hannah said: “A hundred years ago the Spanish flu killed up to 100million people and since then three other pandemics have swept through the globe.

“To try and stop that from happening again, I’m part of this huge citizen science experiment bringing together BBC4, Cambridge University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“It’s a case of when, not if, the next flu pandemic will hit. And when it comes it will be serious.

Described as the first ever ‘life-saving’ pandemic, the results obtained by the programme makers using mathematical modelling could be a vital source of information in emergency planning for the future.

Haslemere-based app user Justine Charman, who works at West Street hardware shop R. Miles and Son, was revealed to be the ‘super spreader,’ who had infected the most residents.

Catapulted to stardom, Justine was invited onto BBC’s The One Show, together with Hannah, to talk about the programme at 7pm – two hours before Contagion! was screened.

Her two TV appearances have won her quite a fan following.

Justine told The Herald people were stopping her in the street and coming into the shop to talk to her about her new-found fame.

“I feel quite proud to have been part of a programme that could save lives,” she said.

“I very nearly didn’t apply to take part at all but my work colleague Russell told me to, so I downloaded the app.

“I’ve had all sorts of comments from people now that I’ve been called a super spreader.

“My sister has started calling me Marge. It was scary going on The One Show.

“I didn’t know I was going to be talking.

“I was suddenly sitting on the sofa and having to talk.

“It was a surprise to me a pendemic like that could happen for real. That’s a massive concern. But it was good to see our shop on TV.

“I have been stopped in the street by people I don’t know after being on TV, it’s been quite bizarre.”