Phio

The huge iron doors of the Sanitorium swung open, as a screeching gurney was forcefully driven into the already packed emergency area. Shrieks erupted from onlookers as the patient slumped on the gurney was hurried into a set of double doors, a fluorescent sign nailed above that read DANGER! RADIOACTIVE. The patient was hurried into the first available surgery room as medical staff, geared up with hazmat suits and gas masks, followed swiftly behind. Thin brown stems were poking out from the patient’s neck, chest, and groin area. Yellow fluid was oozing from the base of them in a pulsating manner. The patient has been identified as a young male named Ollie. His chest heaving and struggling to suck in air as a doctor placed a mask over his mouth.
‘Breathe, Ollie. You’re going to be alright.’
Ollie’s eyes then slowly rolled back and closed as the gas took over his body and finally, he was unconscious. The doctors and nurses wasted no time, with great precision and care they began to cut open the area that the stems were jutting out from.
Ollie did not survive, as with most of the individuals who contract this disease die within 2-5 days. Phio Fungus is the name of this disease, a mutated ancestor of the Ophiocordyceps fungus that wreaked havoc on ants, being dubbed zombie ant fungus. This nastier mutated version has a similar reputation, it burrows its way into the brain, infecting the host in order to spread its spores and reproduce.  Survival is the goal of most creatures, and Phio Fungus is no exception. It caused panic and fear among the communities that lived near the known areas where this fungus began to mutate and spread, with massive amounts of inhabitants migrating towards cities to escape the wrath of this parasitic fungus.

Transmission & Vectors

The Phio Fungus infects the host using its spores, releasing up to 30,000 spores every second. Only one spore has to land in the right spot in order to dominate its victim. With overpopulation running rampant, and the average temperature of the planet increasing, it was becoming easier for the Phio Fungus to spread itself throughout communities and small villages that were dotted around the outskirts of its home, tropical forests.

Symptoms

The infected can have the spores in their system for a few days before any major symptoms occur, making the mortality rate much higher than if it was caught earlier. The host will begin to act strange, twitching and fidgeting uncontrollably. Sweating and vomiting usually follow as the body tries to dispel the invader.  If no medical intervention is made, the host will be compelled to climb trees or buildings where sunlight is at its strongest, the fungus will then begin to burst out from the skin, all while pumping strong chemicals into the infected brain of the host and keeping them in place. This will inevitably kill the host, especially if they continue to be exposed to the strong UV rays from the sun. This is when the Phio Fungus can spread more spores, in order to continue its life.

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure. Medical staff usually drug a patient, rendering them unconscious and no longer under control of the parasitic fungus flooding their muscles and organs. They then cut out the stems that protrude out from the body and send them away to labs to be analysed, in hopes that a cure or treatment can be found.

Prevention

Communities have simply learned to avoid the areas that the fungus is known to grow, large cities and cooler climates are usually the safest place to be (although that is difficult with the overall planet being hotter than it ever has been).

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Uncommon