What is the AIDS virus?
Lu Qin had never heard of it before. But that didn't stop her from realizing the seriousness of the situation. The word "virus" only made her worry even more.
It’s the same virus…
Could the cold wave virus and the Wan virus mentioned by Dean Fang be the same thing?
Lu Qin drove Dean Fang toward the detention center. Along the way, Dean Fang explained, "Simply put, the wan virus is a specific virus with the ability to replicate itself. Once infected, it can cause human cells and tissues to mutate, even transforming into something completely different. In this process... the human body can become something else entirely."
"Isn't that a zombie?!"
This was the only term that popped into Lu Qin's mind.
She was somewhat surprised and doubtful. In the ten years since the end of her previous life, there had always been rumors of zombie activity, but she had never seen it with her own eyes.
The scenes in previous movies and TV dramas with corpses everywhere and no one left alive didn't seem to have much to do with the world she lived in.
Professor Fang shook his head. "No, they probably won't turn into zombies. But in a sense, the prototype of the zombie virus in zombie movies is also a type of wan virus. It's just that its functions are exaggerated, emphasizing that the virus controls the entire central nervous system and produces new mental mutations."
Dean Fang continued to explain, "Have you heard of mad cow disease? In the past, Westerners tried every possible way to feed cows to increase their milk production. However, cows only get their nutrients from grass, so the amount of milk they produce is limited. So, they came up with the idea of feeding cows some highly nutritious meat. As a result, mad cow disease appeared."
"Cattle infected with mad cow disease will become irritable and aggressive, but death will follow."
"It's the same with humans. Ordinary people who eat pork, duck, fish, etc. actually have a small chance of contracting the virus, but it's not that serious. However, there were ancient tribes in the past where cannibalism occurred. Those who ate human flesh would develop symptoms similar to mad cow disease, becoming insane and losing all reason."
"But these two patients didn't develop the symptoms of mad cow disease you mentioned. They just felt dizzy and nauseous." Lu Qin asked again.
Dean Fang nodded. "Indeed, but I suspect the root cause is the same. The main function of the Wan virus is to destroy brain tissue. The patient's symptoms of dizziness and headache fit the theory of brain tissue mutation."
"Lu Qi had a brain CT scan done before, and no abnormalities were found."
"This isn't the zombie virus you imagine. The mutations caused by the Wan virus are long-lasting and mild, and may not even be detected at first. However, the changes they bring are irreversible and fatal."
Professor Fang spoke nonstop, now breathless. "So, I must see the patient immediately. While the symptoms are vastly different, the underlying principles are very similar! Furthermore, I suspect the Wan virus has mutated!"
Lu Qin's heart skipped a beat.
If the virus really mutated, would it be the cold wave virus that she was familiar with?
"Is this virus contagious?" Lu Qin asked anxiously.
This is the most important thing!
If the virus is really contagious, doesn't it mean that those who have been exposed to the virus are already at risk of infection?
Dean Fang wiped the sweat from her forehead. She was anxious, but still answered patiently, "That's not necessarily true. But I don't think it's likely. The wan virus is mainly transmitted through eating meat..."
"But we can't rule it out... After all, judging by the description, there is indeed a risk of mutation."
There were whispers of each other, but after reaching this conclusion, both of them fell silent.
They all knew that if it was confirmed, then...
It will be the second major problem facing mankind after the large-scale, high-intensity snow disaster.
…
The night was dark, but the candlelight in the detention center was bright.
"Dean Fang!" Hong Jiahao ran out of the temporary laboratory panting, holding up a specimen stained with a deep blue reagent in despair.
"I extracted the same viral structure from the patient's vomit as I did from the patient's cerebrospinal fluid..."
Dean Fang's usually serious face finally showed a hint of cracking.
He took the specimen and report handed to him by Hong Jiahao with trembling hands.
A microscopic photograph was clearly taken inside.
It is a strange yet familiar virus.
Several of them are obviously abnormal from the protein structure of the previously seen natriuretic virus, and it happens to form three pits.
Evenly distributed throughout the virus structure, it resembles empty eye sockets and open upper and lower jaws.
This is a weird skull.
It's like a skull mocking human ignorance.
Dean Fang didn't know why the Wan virus had mutated like this. Maybe it was related to the snowstorm, or maybe it was just like it was difficult for plants to grow in the ground, with no warning.
But she knew.
This newly discovered virus seems to be a huge joke on the fate of mankind.
After all, humans are not invincible, and they are being quietly sanctioned.
…
"This is the newly discovered mutant cerebral virus..." Dean Fang's voice was trembling.
It was as if he had aged overnight. After just one night apart, Dean Fang's hair had turned even whiter.
Lu Qin took over their final report.
It clearly reads:
"The new virus, extracted from Patient No. 1, shares some characteristics with the original virus, but the mutated parts are not yet proven effective.
Research has shown that the virus can cause irreversible changes to brain tissue. The known route of transmission is through ingestion of human tissue. Other unknown routes are considered low. Risk level: Extremely high.
"So...what will happen to the patient?" Although Lu Qin was mentally prepared, he still couldn't help but ask when he actually found out.
"I don't know. These are the first and second cases discovered. We need to observe the follow-up situation. I will work in the detention center and study the progress of this virus," said Dean Fang.
"Fortunately, it's not transmitted through the air." Lu Qin comforted Dean Fang slightly.
She naturally knew that this virus was most likely the "cold wave virus" she knew, but she couldn't tell others directly that the cold wave virus could cause people to become vegetative.
"I hope so. I can't be sure yet." Dean Fang sighed. "You can take the report. I'm tired."
Lu Qin nodded.
She must report to Qu Dongbo as soon as possible.
…
August 16, 2131.
A new virus was discovered in the Antu County Base, the predecessor of the Rongcheng Base.
This virus, which later became popular in major bases in the apocalypse, is now quietly lurking among humans.
Even though its origin is horrible and unbelievable, but...
The virus is actually distributed everywhere.
Maybe this is the bad nature of human beings.
Oh, right.
The name of the virus -
Named after the "cold wave".
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