The Black Ash virus

Introduction

The Black Ash Virus, also known as The Withers or Braxia Wythirius is a deadly disease running rampant in the core worlds.

History

When visiting a remote planet in the outer sectors, Dr. Nigeel Greekesh came upon a village plagued by a terrifying illness. The horrendous disease caused the afflicted to slowly turn to black ash and wither away. Although distraught, the intrigued scientist took it upon himself to find a cure for the village. After a few months of trying treatment after treatment, Dr. Greekesh took a sample of black ash from a patient back to his lab for research.
In a state of the art biohazard research lab on the core world Aurelia, Dr. Greekesh studied the sample and successfully isolated the virus. The docter kept the viral sample locked in a secure vault inside his lab.
However, a terrorist organization known as The Dark Star caught wind of the virus from an informant inside the lab. The Dark Star successfully raided the lab and stole the viral sample. The terrorists released the virus into the capital city's water supply, infecting thousands of civilians in a matter of days. The virus quickly spread to other core worlds through tourists and merchants, and is rapidly approaching the middle worlds.
Dr. Greekesh's team is now working double time to find a cure as the disease threatens life across the known universe, and The Dark Star (who claim to hold the antivirus) demand unprecedented political power in exchange for an end to the apocalypse. Civilians are being forced to quarantine and take extra precaution with food, water, and air consumption, and senators are in rigorous debates over the correct course of action.
Life is at a stand-still for some, but for others it's a hectic rush against the clock. For all, it's a hellish nightmare they can only hope they'll wake up from.

Transmission & Vectors

Contracted by coming into contact with the virus via ingestion, inhalation, or absorbtion (through skin). Minimal amounts of the virus are required to contract the disease and the afflicted become contagious within a few hours of contracting.

Symptoms

Those plagued by the Black Ash Virus first experience searing pain in their extremities which slowly spreads to their entire bodies within a few days.
Once the debilitating pain has run through the afflicted, their extremities will begin to turn an ashy-black color. As the darkness spreads across the body, skin begins to crack and turn to dust. As the condition continues, the entire body will turn to dust and blow away.
The entire ordeal is excruciating and the tormented retain consciousness throughout the experience. Those infected often report their worst memories constantly replaying in their heads as the sickness settles in.

Treatment

There is no known treatment or cure.

Prognosis

Death is almost certainly inevitable.

Prevention

It is extremely hard to avoid the infection. One must quarentine from anyone who could possibly be infected, isolate their water and food sources, and isolate their air supply to avoid contracting the disease.
Certain species have small resistances to the virus but usually not enough to keep safe.

Type

Viral

Origin

Natural