“All evidence indicates that the time from exposure to expiration is under 48 hours,” says a pathologist during an autopsy on an early victim, moments before that victim’s exposed innards somehow spurt blood all over him.

The virus was apparently brought into the United States by a Syrian who stowed away on an airplane, and the possibility of bioterrorism hangs over the story. But that’s a minor concern, at least in the early episodes. The main one is introducing assorted characters who in one way or another can’t sublimate their problems or personality traits in the face of possible extinction.

All virus stories are apparently required to have a bureaucrat whose main interest is bullying other officials. Here it’s Dr. Sabine Lommers (Claudia Black), a brusque federal something-or-other who cordons off part of the city and takes input from no one.

A child-in-jeopardy plotline is also mandatory, and in “Containment” there are a lot of them, because just as the pathogen was hitting the fan at a city hospital, a busload of schoolchildren arrived there on a field trip. Added bonus: Among the students of this particular teacher (Kristen Gutoskie) is her own son.

Separated lovers who put their own needs above public safety? Check. Possibly irresponsible news coverage? Check. Simmering romance between two people who met only because the crisis threw them together? Check. Government officials who seem to be hiding something? Check.