Topic: Disease Strikes Dockside: Over Twenty Estimated Dead

Darien Fenner

Date: 2009-12-15 23:31 EST
The following was seen on page three of the RhyDin Post, Tuesday, December the 15th.

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/75546615.jpg Senior Columnist: Madu Adeniji Disease Strikes Dockside: Over Twenty Estimated Dead December 15, 2009

There is something rotten in the state of RhyDin.

An acute, dangerously infectious contagion has been detected and localized in the Dockside district of downtown RhyDin.

Forensic pathologists have traced the earliest signs of the outbreak to approximately ten days ago, where it appears the first cases were tragically misdiagnosed, and ultimately fatal.

Patients are currently being routed to Dockside Community Clinic, where doctors are reporting a fifty to ninety percent mortality rate in all age groups.

"This isn't something we haven't seen before, but it's so much worse," Dr. Sheik Navarr, head of the diagnostics department at Dockside Community Clinic, said. "It's almost like a super-bug. Before we can even run tests, the disease has infected every vital organ. It's" terrifying."

Residents of the Dockside district are urged to stay in their homes if they are feeling unwell, or to check themselves into the hospital if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Chills Recurring bouts of fever Vomiting Broken blood vessels Enlarged lymph nodes Debilitating abdominal cramps Chest pain Persistent cough that may or may not be accompanied by bloody sputum

Pathologists in multiple locations are currently working around-the-clock to discover the source of this deadly epidemic.

"We must focus on the cause of the disease before we can begin mass-producing a treatment. If any citizens are feeling flu-like at all, we ask that they isolate themselves and contact a healthcare professional immediately," Health Minister Dr. Marie Anne Moore announced yesterday.

Since 2007, RhyDin has had only twenty-two documented cases of plague or plague-like illness.

"The important thing is not to panic," Moore said in a press conference Monday. "If you feel the need to wear a mask as you go about your day, then I encourage you to do so. But I can assure you that we are doing absolutely everything in our power to ensure the safety of RhyDin and its citizens."

Last count of inpatient cases totaled forty-two. Hospitals all over RhyDin have begun to preemptively set up quarantine units should the pathogen be proven airborne or otherwise detrimentally contagious. A Shadow Over Dockside and Playable.]]