bookpub Chapter 556 - 427: Blood Tragedy Erupts Again? Major Crisis!
Chapter 556 - 427: Blood Tragedy Erupts Again? Major Crisis!
Once a few individuals harbor malicious intent and use genes as weapons to engage in unethical and illegal activities, it could lead to unforeseen consequences.Last year, the Russian Bear exposed that the American Eagle had established a biological laboratory in Ukraine.
This type of biological laboratory can cause widespread, large-scale harm by incorporating pathogenic genes into target drugs, vaccines, or microorganisms and then deploying them to designated locations.
"Is the mission assigned by the department related to genetics and biology?"
Seeing the serious expression on Dean Liu Shangming’s face as he explained so much, Zhao Heng instinctively felt that they were in big trouble this time.
"Just last week, the United Nations Health Organization discovered a suspected hemorrhagic Ebola virus infection in a tribe in New Guinea."
Dean Liu Shangming said in a heavy tone.
"Hemorrhagic Ebola? Can it be confirmed?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng was startled. Even though it was the height of summer, he felt a chill run down his back.
Ever since its appearance in 1976, the Ebola virus has been classified as a level 4 virulent virus, the highest level in biosafety. AIDS and SARS are only level 3.
Ebola virus causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever, the most dangerous acute hemorrhagic fever known to date.
Studies have shown that the Ebola virus can rapidly destroy a person’s immune system within 7-10 days. Comparatively, the HIV virus that causes AIDS takes several years to damage the human immune system.
The hemorrhagic Ebola, also known as the "Zaire Ebola A82V Makona variant," abbreviated as the "Makona strain," is the most infectious and destructive Ebola virus known so far.
No exaggeration to say, the Ebola virus is the deadliest virus known to man, and hemorrhagic Ebola is the king of the kings of viruses.
The mortality rate of Ebola is 90%; so far, there is no effective cure developed by humans.
"Yes, World Health Organization experts have confirmed it and have already sent a team there."
Dean Liu Shangming said with a very heavy tone.
It’s no wonder he sounds so heavy-hearted. When the Ebola virus broke out in West Africa, CNN described patients infected with Ebola as "cursed by the devil’s most malicious curse," and when people truly understand Ebola, they lament that it is more than just a curse; it is the devil wantonly slaughtering amid his barbaric laughter.
As everyone knows, human blood contains blood cells, which are divided into red cells, platelets, and white cells. Red cells transport oxygen, platelets stop bleeding, and white cells fight viruses.
The working principle of white cells is: when you are invaded by a virus, body tissues release a component that alerts cells to come and combat the virus, ultimately killing it.
The terrifying aspect of Ebola is that it specifically destroys the virus-sensing ability of white cells. Even more frightening, it uses white cells as pathways to spread to every corner of the body. Thus, the once body-protecting white cells, when controlled by Ebola, transform into deadly puppets killing us.
Ebola’s method of slaughtering humans is like the "Bone Melting Palm" in martial arts, killing invisibly.
When a virus generally invades, the body’s cells become nutrients for the Ebola virus to replicate, and small clots begin to form in the blood. As the blood grows increasingly viscous, these clots thicken on the vessel walls, cutting off blood supply to parts of the body, leading to overall necrosis.
Ebola virus particularly likes attacking connective tissues. The main protein forming connective tissue is collagen. Ebola proliferates massively there, causing skin to liquify and necrotize from the bottom, forming various blisters.
Next, the skin becomes fragile, breaking at the slightest touch.
Bleeding begins all over the body, from even the smallest orifices, the mouth, gums, eyes!
Then, the tongue starts rotting and detaching, the throat and windpipe also necrotize, sometimes even being coughed out.
Once bleeding starts, it does not stop because your blood cells have been destroyed.
Before death, internal organs have entirely necrotized and decomposed. If not for the skeleton, it would have melted into a pool of bloody water.
At death, it’s like a viral bomb, much like a water-filled balloon ready to burst at the slightest touch!
After the host dies, the body infected with Ebola will erupt and splash to spread the virus again at maximum efficiency!
"Hadn’t hemorrhagic Ebola disappeared over a decade ago?"
Zhao Heng felt chilled down his back and asked in disbelief.
"Yes, since the region spreading Ebola had no sources of transmission, the virus eventually disappeared back then. However, before disappearing, many world-renowned biological science labs collected samples."
Liu Shangming nodded and revealed a tremendously shocking truth.
"Are you saying, Dean, that the appearance of Ebola in New Guinea this time is a premeditated biological weapon experiment or attack?"
Zhao Heng asked.
"Little Zhao, think about it, New Guinea is just a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, with no strong links to any major world power. It has always been self-sufficient. Why did Ebola, which only appeared in Africa, surface on a small Pacific island?"
Dean Liu Shangming sighed and said, as the saying goes, there’s always a reason for something strange. If Ebola reappeared in Africa, it would be understandable, being its origin.
But appearing in a remote Pacific island far removed from Africa, how can one not associate this occurrence with the idea that, because this island is isolated overseas with no nearby neighbors, it might be better suited as a testing ground?
"So my task is to accompany the World Health Organization’s expert team to New Guinea?"
Zhao Heng cautiously asked.
This sort of situation is far more dangerous and thrilling than walking through a field of blades and fire.
"Not necessarily. Since you have experience dealing with the Brain-Eating Amoeba, the department believes you are currently the best candidate to research this sudden virus. Therefore, they will send you to one of the World Health Organization’s biological laboratories in Africa to handle this matter with other experts. Of course, if the situation becomes urgent, there’s a chance you might be sent directly to New Guinea."
Dean Liu Shangming slowly said.
"As long as it’s just assisting research in a biological lab, that’s not too bad."
Zhao Heng exhaled deeply as he spoke. He wasn’t a saint willing to sacrifice himself, and even if he were, it would be for his own country and people, not to risk his life for foreigners.
If anyone directly ordered him to New Guinea, Zhao Heng would question whether their mind was compromised.
Going to a World Health Organization biological laboratory in Africa is relatively more suitable. He does have experience dealing with the Brain-Eating Amoeba. Globally speaking, the recent Brain-Eating Amoeba outbreak on Jeju Island was already a significantly severe public health event in recent years.
Although one is a parasite and the other a virus, there are indeed overlapping strategies in dealing with them.
"Little Zhao, if you go to this African biological laboratory, try not to move around too much. After exchanging experiences, return as soon as possible."
Dean Liu Shangming instructed again, concerning going to New Guinea, whoever wants to go can go. Even during the Brain-Eating Amoeba outbreak on Jeju Island, the, H country sent their people while the task here was simply to assist in researching specialized treatment methods.
"I understand."
Zhao Heng nodded, understanding Liu Shangming’s intention. No one is invincible; aside from professional knowledge and skills, doctors are no different physically from ordinary people. If unintentionally infected, it would be fatal.
"I initially suggested to the department if someone else could be sent, but domestically speaking, only you have experience handling such severe public health events, especially in developing treatment methods. I appreciate your hard work."
Gao Jun looked at Zhao Heng and spoke slowly.
"It’s okay, I can go and come back soon."
Zhao Heng replied.