Brain Bug

Brain Bug is a rare tissue infection caused by the Vunlodir Beetle from the island of Badull . The parasite is spread from the beetles eggs, which needs to be consumed. Once the eggs are spread, most are killed by the immune systems of their hosts, but there is a chance one egg will make it to the brain and begin to mature. After only a few hours, the beetle will be at full size, and begin to directly attempt to take over the hosts brain. Those that have a weaker will and wisdom, are significantly more susceptible. These infections are extremely rare, so no cure is completely known. Removal cannot be done through surgery, as the Beetle will attempt to burrow further in the brain, killing the host. Infected hosts do seem to have a few key things they avoid, but their exact connection is unclear.

Transmission & Vectors

The infection is spread when the host ingests a large quantity of the Vunlodir Beetle's  eggs, and one makes it's way into the hosts brain.

Causes

Consuming unclean food, one covered in Vunlodir Beetle eggs will certainly increase someone's risk factors, but even then infections are extremely rare. There are few Vunlodir Beetles in the wild, as they have can not live long outside a host. Those that are infected are oftentimes those that find themselves stranded in the wilds of the Artillery Testing Zone , and stumble upon some infected food. The beetle can also only infect those with a certain level of intelligence, so wild animals oftentimes are poor hosts. These factors make the spreading of the disease very difficult, and infected hosts generally do not make it out of the Testing Zone, and end up starving to death.

Symptoms

The Vunlodir Beetle begins to mature from it's egg in the brain, first affecting motor functions like arms and legs. This then moves on to the head, the eyes, eventually the mouth. Once infected, the host no longer has control of any motor function, living as a prisoner in their body. The beetle however has no idea what is involved in keeping the host alive, and they oftentimes die of dehydration or starvation.

Treatment

Currently, there is no known successful treatment. Possibly something that targets the brain, will kill the parasite, but not the host. The problem is the corpse of the dead Vunlodir Beetle being in the brain is also very dangerous. So possibly something to lure it out?

Prognosis

Prognosis is extremely poor. The host will almost certainly die, finding themselves stranding in the barren lands of Artillery Testing Zone .

Sequela

-Loss of motor function -In ability to make decisions or rationalize issues -Becoming a prisoner in your own body

Hosts & Carriers

Most sentient creatures are possible hosts.

Prevention

Two simple preventions - don't eat infected foods, and don't go near the Artillery Testing Zone . Again, this disease is extremely rare, and these 2 things shouldn't be done purely out of fear of infection, they should be avoided because they are dangerous for significantly more common reasons.

Epidemiology

It is spread through the fecal oral route, through consuming food tainted with Vunlodir Beetle eggs.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare