Zinmortui (Zine-mort-u-e)
Also known as the Z-virus.
Transmission & Vectors
Z-virus is both airborne and bloodborne, more specifically via bites. Species with porous and semi-porous skin can be vulnerable to infection via contaminated water.
Causes
Z-virus infection is not caused by darkness, heat, or humidity, but it is certainly exacerbated by them. It thrives in the permanent night of Hivix, specifically within the rain forests of the Cerebellum territory. These conditions are not necessary for an outbreak to occur, but as most outbreaks come from the decaying of corpses of previous infections, they are necessary for largescale outbreaks.
Bright, arid, or cold conditions do not curb existing outbreaks.
Symptoms
- Necrosis (Degradation of tissue)
- Rhinosinusitis (Inflamation of the mucus membranes in the nasal passage)
- Esophagitis (Inflamation of the tissue in the esophagus)
- Sialorrhea (Excessive salivation)
- Pyrexia (Confusion)
- Refractive Errors (Blurriness of vision)
- Delirium (Fever)
- Foaming of the mouth
- Meningitis (Inflamation of the spinal and brain stem membrane)
- Intense aggression
- Pulmonary Fibrosis (Degredation of respitory tissue)
- Wet Cough
Treatment
Z-virus treatment's effectiveness is limited to the prodromic and neurologic repressive stages and consists of a combination of blood transfusions and antiviral medication. This is most effective when combined with intense sanitization, quarantining efforts, and treatment of corollary infection or injury. Early detection and treatment is key, and dramatically increases likelihood of survival.
Prognosis
Stage One; Prodromic Period
Infection begins with the tissue within or around the viral contact point being overtaken with necrosis. The two main contact points are inhalation and bites. Inhalation and bites have divergent prognosis, but zinmortui virus itself will always produce the same core symptoms. If the contact point is a bite, the infection is likely assisted in immune degradation by the typical bacteria found in the mouth of infected. If the virus is inhaled, rhinosinusitis and esophagitis is likely to advance before typical necrosis. Sialorrhea occurs within a day of inhalation as opposed to the week of development accompanying bite based contact. The prodromic period will occur within two to four days in unvaccinated individuals and a week for vaccinated individuals. Within lab settings, quality of life declined significantly slower due to a clean contact point; i.e. while immune system degradation is a direct result of zinmortui virus, accompanying infection and complications provide the majority of divergent symptoms and are not to be attributed to zinmortui itself. The prodromic period is the best time for treatment to occur, with a 68% survival rate.Stage Two; Neurologic Repressive Period
Typically within the range of three days (unvaccinated) to two weeks (vaccinated), infection spreads from the contact point toward the heart and brain. Once necrosis occurs within the brain, pyrexia, refractive errors, and delirium occur. Foaming of the mouth often accompanies these symptoms, though can occur as soon as a week from contact. Treatment can occur in the neurologic repressive period, but has reduced survivalship to 23%. Nerve and brain tissue has likely sustained damage, but it is still possible to recover enough functionality for decent quality of life.Stage Three; Acute Neurologic Repressive Period
Within a week from reaching the neurologic repressive period, pyrexia escelates into intense aggression, most often biting and scratching. Some experience a wet cough, though this is more common with infection from inhalation contact, typically as pulmonary fibrosos occurs. Meningitis is likely during this stage. Treatment dramatically loses effectiveness in the acute neurologic repressive period. The 12% of survivors of treatment all possessed intense regenerative capacity. It is likely that the percentage of survivors in this stage is only as high as it is due to the correlation between regenerative species and vulnerability to airborne contact.Stage Four; Coma, Death
With the exception of very few species with extreme regenerative capabilities, coma and death will occur within a year of untreated infection. Of the few species capable of surviving zinmortui, fewer can be treated in the Acute Neurologic Repressive stage with varied effectiveness. Treatment is technically still possible in this stage, but is exclusive to regenerative species. Only .04% of infected treatment was attempted on have survived, all of which had intense regenerative capabilities and had preventative measures taken prior to and during infection. Of the few recorded reanimation attempts, 60% produced individuals with dramatically decreased mental facility and intense aggression. The other 40% were lethargic and had very little nervous activity at all.Affected Groups
Zombies
Zombies are disproportionately affected by z-virus, as they live in large clusters and cannot be vaccinated due to the unique qualities of their immune systems. Their regenerative qualities allow them to retain their mental capacities while infected as well as makes them extremely difficult to kill if neccessary. They live well beyond the year range of most species when infected, and continue to move in massive hordes.Hosts & Carriers
Aerolotles
Aerolotles are a small, winged rodent with long, flat tails hailing from Hivix. They're currently thought to be the first carriers of Z-virus, as they are commonly seen feeding on the flower the virus is known to transmit from and many documents warn not to consume them. They themselves seem to be immune to the disease, but have been proven repeatedly to carry it.Astridian Nectar Bats
It's unclear how nectar bats first came into contact with Z-virus, but they're well known carriers of Z-virus as many areas have laws about getting any bats you intend to consume tested.Seropni
Seropni are also well known carriers of Z-virus, as they're unaffected by their infection, but aerosolize the virus on their breath. In Stella they're often recruited for aid during Z-virus outbreaks.Prevention
Vaccination
The most effective and arguably most important preventative measure for the spread of Z-virus is the numerous vaccines available for affected species. Unfortunately culturing vaccines to meet the demand is near impossible despite the dedicated facilities.Zinotyde
Zinotyde is a specialized proventative medication which slows the effects and spread of Z-virus. There are two main forms of Zinotyde, an intravenous liquid treatment and a capsule which is taken orally. Zinotyde cannot cure Z-virus, only delay its advance.Teliki Symbiosis
The Teliki is a species of corpse bloom which often survives by rooting into the nervous system of a host, usually a common or overgrown zombie. The Teliki provides a special type of antibody which gives functional immunity to airborne Z-virus contact, and in exchange recieves ample nutrients and aid in pollunation. Each teliki can only have one host as it cannot be removed without the teliki dying. Zombies with teliki blooms are known to experience occasional headaches or excessive thirst when their teliki has a need, but are not harmed by the teliki.Viral Destruction
Z-virus can remain in corpses for a very long time, and must be destroyed to prevent outbreaks. It is recommended to heat infected tissue to 1000°C. Dowsing corpses in zombie blood with live antibodies proves effective in destroying the virus, but cannot be utilized on a large scale.History
The virus first recorded and named in 54538 of the Second Era by Palathea Zin. The illness was known about prior, but the virus itself was discovered from flower samples the botanist was studying. Palathea also made the connection between the flowers and prevolence of Z-virus in communities which regularly consume bats, a theory which was enforced in later testing.
Cultural Reception
Z-virus has been around for such a long time that many species have an ingrained fear of z-virus, and is always met with terror and revulsion. Unfortunately, the virus has left the most vulnerable to it with a poor reputation, especially zombies, as they're both vulnerable to the virus and extremely difficult to cull. The assosiation is so strong in many communities that the 'Z' in Z-virus is often mistaken for standing for 'zombie' rather than Zin or Zinmortui. The negative impact extends not just to their depictions in pop culture and news, but to the trafficing of zombies for cultures of Z-virus, often sold as black market vaccines or bio warfare.
Trivia
- Z-virus was inspired by a mix of rabies, prion disease, and the the measles.
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