Juentual Flu
Overview
The Juentual Flu is a mysterious disease that emerged on Juentual Three approximately five years ago. It primarily affects children under the age of 18, causing severe symptoms and, in most cases, death if exposure to the planet’s environment continues. The disease has forced families and young individuals to relocate to the orbital station, leaving the planet’s surface populated only by adults.
Despite numerous studies, the true cause of the Juentual Flu remains officially unknown, leading to widespread speculation and fear.
Symptoms
- Early Symptoms:
- Fatigue and weakness
- High fever
- Respiratory distress (shortness of breath, coughing)
- Advanced Symptoms:
- Severe organ failure, particularly in the lungs and heart
- Skin discoloration, often a bluish or grayish tint
- Neurological effects, including seizures and disorientation
- Fatal Progression: Without intervention, the disease progresses rapidly, usually leading to death within weeks of onset.
Public Understanding
The Juentual Flu is widely believed to be an environmental illness caused by an unknown factor in the planet’s atmosphere, soil, or water. Theories range from contamination due to volcanic activity to unique planetary microbes affecting only the young. Adults are thought to have a natural immunity or resistance that children have not yet developed.
Preventative Measures:
- Relocation of all children and pregnant individuals to the orbital station.
- Mandatory environmental monitoring for areas near residential zones.
- Rigorous health screenings for adults before entry into the planet’s workforce.
Impact on Society
The Juentual Flu has profoundly shaped life on Juentual Three:
- Population Decline: The mass relocation of families has left the planet with a skeleton workforce, reducing its population from a projected 1,000,000 to approximately 50,000.
- Corporate Adaptation: Corporations have focused on automation and adult-only contracts to maintain operations.
- Cultural Shift: The absence of children has created a somber and utilitarian society, with little room for recreation or long-term community building.
