Venenatio Fuscus (Dark Poisoning)

"We've never seen anything like it anywhere else in the Solar System.. It's not natural."

The first case of Venenatio Fuscus (Dark Poisoning) only emerged a decade ago - shortly after the establishment of Directorate Facility 51 on the outskirts of Venera Colony. Since establishment reported 'alien abductions' but citizens have increased ten-fold with many of those reporting it also exhibiting symptoms of Venenatio Fuscus.
Patients who are exposed tend to exhibit a dark rash spanning the length of their spine for up to three days after exposure. After which they either develop symptoms or remain asymptomatic for an indefinite period of time.

Transmission & Vectors

There have been no observed cases of transmission between humans.

Causes

Venenatio Fuscus does not appear to originate from nature, therefore top secret Directorate Facility 51 has been flagged as the likely source of infection.

Symptoms

In symptomatic patients, the disease progresses in three phases. Stage 1: Multiple organ failure, internal bleeding, haemorrhaging. Stage 2: Coma Stage 3: Is what can only be described a reanimation. Although patients are pronounced clinically dead their bodies continue to operate and are incredibly hostile towards any living organisms nearby. Sense of smell also appears to be incredibly heightened.

Treatment

No treatment exists presently.

Prognosis

Symptomatic patients have a 90% chance of progressing to Stage 3 and a 10% chance of dying during Stage 1 & 2. Out of the currently identified infected, less than 1% have become symptomatic.

Affected Groups

Evidence of exposure to the compound that causes Venenatio Fuscus has been observed in citizens of varying ages, ethnicities and sex.

Hosts & Carriers

An estimated 198 Veneran's have been identified as carriers of the disease. Thankfully if they do not exhibit symptoms of the disease within three days of exposure they tend to be able to live normal lives without risk of infecting others.

History

The first cases of Venenatio Fuscus presented in the Veneran population approximately 10 years ago. Thankfully there have only been 200 recorded infections over this period, only two of which had become symptomatic and had to be put down. The condition itself is representative of wider chemical testing, likely from Facility 51.

Cultural Reception

Currently knowledge of Venenatio Fuscus is limited to a small portion of the scientific and medical community in Venera. Few Government officials are privy to the knowledge of the disease and it's likely to stay that way unless more symptomatic cases present themselves.

Type

Chemical Compound

Origin

Engineered

Rarity

Rare