The Public Institute of Space Health (PISH) has announced it is monitoring a “minor” outbreak of Javorian Pox in the Thelmar Union region.
With the death toll now surpassing over 500 million, Public Health Officials have urged xenos to remain “vigilant” for the infection.
So how worried should we be? Here’s everything you need to know:
What is Javorian Pox?
Javorian Pox is a highly transmissible infection caused by the bacterium Wingardium Leviosa.
Little information is known about the pathogen, as it was only detected this month on Thelmar’s homeworld of Khersonia.
The first cluster of cases was identified about the TSS Rnaught, a Thelmar science ship which had recently returned from an expedition to the relic world of Irassia, former home of the precursor Irassian Concordat.
While the exact origin of the Pox is unknown, initial analyses suggest it is over four thousand years old, making it the second oldest infectious disease in the galaxy after Lurgy.
What are the symptoms?
Pox symptoms are rapid, unpredictable and highly variable between species, however a number of common features are noted across all organic populations:
Unexpected swelling
Ruptured nodules
Corrugated ankles
Discrete itching
Gastric ejections
Heaped piles
Kidney beans
Slack tongue
Gut rot
Individuals affected can expect to see global health attributes reduced significantly, including fertility and sex appeal.
What’s the mortality?
Exact figures on mortality are not currently clear, although initial reports from Thelmar suggest there is a 1-2% percent chance of recovery with early hospitalization.
PISH has been cautious to warn that infection may have “adverse effects” on organic physiology.
Who’s at risk?
At risk demographics are believed to be similar for other illnesses, such as Lurgy and Saturday Night Fever. These include xenos who are:
Aged >300
Gestating / egg-laying
Predisposed with fleeting or weak traits
PISH has recommended any xenos falling into the above categories should contact their local healthcare provider at their nearest convenience.
Image: Public Institute of Space Health Director Dr. Snugglesworth, pictured earlier today droning on and on about boring science stuff.
How does it spread?
Javorian Pox is spread through close contact, likely bodily fluid or aerosol droplet.
It appears to be highly transmissible, as xenos affected can shed the pathogen while remaining asymptomatic for up to three weeks.
Due to this, lubricated species such as the flagella-laden Blorg are suspected to be high-risk for ‘super-spreading’ the disease.
Is it worse than other types of Pox?
The galaxy has a number of Pox-types circulating at this time of year, consisting of both viruses and bacteria.
However, it is unusual for Pox to spread in developed space, as outbreaks tend to be limited to pre-FTL feudal societies.
How is it treated?
Existing forms of Pox are often easily cured through basic treatments, such as not going outside and Jelly Vat Electrolysis.
At present there is no known effective treatment for Javorian Pox.
Image: A xeno suspected of having Javorian Pox receives urgent treatment at Thelmar’s St. Frontier Hospital.
How bad is the situation in the Thelmar Union?
This winter outbreak has been one of the worst the space-nation has seen in some years, with almost 5.6 billion confirmed infected and 503 million dead across 15 worlds.
Hospital admission data is currently unavailable, as they have stopped responding to information requests following the complete collapse of civil law on Thelmar core worlds.
Similarly, information from Thelmar’s immediate neighbours, a number of small protectorates, is also limited. This in part appears driven by the current independence wars underway, as they desperately try to close their borders to the floods of refugees streaming out of Thelmar.
So what should I do?
At present PISH is recommending galactic organisms “continue life as normal.”
It is advising a number of space-nations to adopt ‘watch and wait’ policies, cautioning against “over-reaction.”
At present travel advice to the Thelmar Union remains unchanged, with no restrictions and a simple ‘be aware’ warning for travelers.
