Pathogen

[Swede]

Summary of a Report on Recently Identified Pathogens

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In the spring of this year, a study was conducted by a team of veterinary researchers (see appendix) to investigate the spread of a previously unknown disease which affected mainly large herbivore species. Most studied cases were recorded among horses, both domesticated and wild, and domesticated cattle. A smaller number of deer were affected as well. The findings of the study are presented below.


Cause of transmission: Unknown. Experiments prove that the infection is not transmissible between individuals, nor does it appear to be airborne. Insect bites have been presented as a hypothesis; further studies are being conducted.


Symptoms: The symptoms of this disease may be broken down into 4 stages.

Stage 1
This stage is characterized by symptoms easily mistaken for a common cold. Generally a persistent cough is present, as well as overall physical weakness and lack of appetite.

Stage 2
At this stage, the victim experiences poor coordination. This results in a stumbling gait and reduced mobility. Physical weakness is still apparent, and the victim often spends a great deal of time resting. Brief bouts of disorientation and confusion have been recorded in some cases.

Stage 3
Victim has difficulty standing or moving about, and may fall down if not already laying on the ground to rest, as subjects of study seem to prefer. This stage is characterized especially by two symptoms: firstly, a highly irregular heartbeat, and secondly, shortness of breath, occasionally accompanied by a mild nosebleed. The cough is persistent and severe.

Stage 4
Heartbeat is irregular and weak. The alveoli disintegrate, allowing blood to flow into the lungs. None of the studied subjects which reached this stage survived. Precise cause of death varied, as some subjects were killed by predators or adverse environmental factors. The remaining victims experienced either cardiac arrest, or suffocation as a result of the lungs filling with blood. This appears to depend upon the condition of the victim's heart and circulatory system prior to infection. Death ensues.




Treatment: Horses in captivity have been successfully treated. Left untreated, many individuals recover on their own. These are primarily the victims which have not progressed past the second stage of the disease, and their own immune systems are able to fend off the infection. There are some examples of horses reaching the third stage and recovering, though less common. There is no record of 4th-stage survivors.


Summary: Though the new presence of this disease is alarming, we believe it is controllable. 87% of domesticated horses and cattle treated before stage 3 recovered fully. As our knowledge increases, we expect this rate to increase as well. In the meantime, we are also investigating the possibilities of developing a vaccine. Where the population of wild animals is concerned, there is no room in the budget for government interference. The disease does appear to be widespread, as many studied individuals displayed symptoms, however the vast majority does not progress past the first stage. The percentage of animals which die from the disease does not appear to be large enough to threaten the overall population. Deer, moose, and antelope populations display a low death rate, and it is primarily the feral horse populations which are affected. There does not appear to be any risk of cross-contagion to humans.

This team recommends that the disease be allowed to run its course, and no human intervention should be made unless deemed necessary for the health of the overall population. We will continue to monitor the wild animal populations as well as continued research to gain a better understanding of this disease.

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