At New York's airport, an emergency landing is made by a plane full of dead bodies. To investigate the circumstances of their deaths, scientists led by the city's top epidemiologist, Ephraim Goodweather, board the plane. As they investigate, it becomes clear that the passengers are infected with a vampire virus, which threatens to spread into a massive epidemic that could destroy humanity. Panic spreads throughout society, and only a few individuals are willing to confront the disease: Dr. Goodweather, his medical team, and a group of knowledgeable citizens, including a rat catcher named Vasily Fet.