Bloatlung

Background

In the summer when the temperature rises, new life grows from the rivers and marshes of the Mistlands. But nature always must stay in balance, and to quell the rise in fauna and flora, populations of predators and cases of diseases spike in equal amount.

One of the most common summertime ailments in the Mistlands, is Bloatlung. Affecting fish and merfolk, this disease is caused by a species of waterborne parasitic microorganism called 'Bloatlatch'. These microorganisms can be found in warm, stagnant bodies of freshwater during the summer season. During the colder seasons Bloatlatches enter a hibernation period within host fish or merfolk.

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Prolonged coughing
• Dehydration
• Inflammation and irritation of gills and lungs
• Build-up of puss in gills
• Cloudy discharge from mouth

Cause and Parasitic Mechanism

When a fish or merfolk is moving through the water, oxygenated water passes through their gills, if juvenile Bloatlatches are present and able to pass through the gills it will attach to host gills using hook-like structures.

Once firmly attached, the Bloatlatch release proinflammatory signals to trigger the inflammatory response in host cells, the Bloatlatch then drinks the secreted inflammatory mucus. This in-turn reduces the gills effectiveness to absorb oxygen from water, leading to shortness of breath whilst in the water.

Once the Bloatlatch has fed enough (now matured and tripled in size), it will release a cloud of eggs before detaching from the host and dying, the eggs travel downstream into the lungs and incubate into juvenile Bloatlatches. They are then discharged by the host during coughing fits into a fresh body of water.

Where the cycle begins again.

Infectivity and Pandemic Status

Being a waterborne parasite that latches onto swimming hosts, it is a commonly ailment during the summer time, when Merfolk enter the water to cool off.

There are historic examples of early Merfolk colonies dying of dehydration whilst being surrounded by water sources.

Infection can reach Pandemic status if Bloatlatch juveniles are deposited into drinking water sources.

Treatments

• Avoiding stagnant freshwater during the summer time and/or swimming in these water sources for short periods.
• Thoroughly cleaning gills with salt water after swimming.
• Salt water baths.
• Quarantine of infected individuals.