Lexicon:Liquid Viral Transmission
This page is a part of the Infection Lexicon. The information here is fan-created and should not be considered in-game canon. Please do not edit this page unless you are certain that the Lexicon has been completed.
While many Maltonian organizations were struggling to organize search-and-rescue missions, evacuations, supply drops and even military intervention, only a few groups (such as Phillster and NecroTech) were prepared to observe the phenomenon scientifically. NecroTech employees who were forced to flee their laboratories were issued field DNA scanning/interpolation units and told to track the hordes as they spread through the city. Though many have criticized NecroTech for their seemingly cold response to the emergency, their detachment has provided us the most detailed information available about the infection.
We now know that not all cases of infection are equal. Immediately after the outbreak, it was believed that only direct injection or bites could transfer the disease. Survivors who were bitten frequently developed severe flu-like symptoms which progressed to death and, eventually, resurrection. We eventually learned that what was called "incipient infection" was in reality a secondary bacterial infection caused by septic conditions in the mouths of the attackers; this infection was easily treatable with antibiotics.
In truth, the initial infection was airborne. Shortly after the incident began, the virus was released in the form of aerosolized fluid which infected everyone, or nearly everyone, in Malton. However, the virus only triggers Lazarus response in senescent or apoptotic cells, or situations of extreme apoxia—the result being that those infected with the virus are only reanimated upon somatic death.
Airborne transmission is no longer an issue in Malton; whatever the source of the outbreak, aerosolized virus is no longer being released. Liquid viral transmission, however, remains a very real concern. More military and medical personnel are entering the city daily. Every one of them who is bitten or scratched by an infected individual is exposed to the virus. Until a permanent cure is developed, these individuals cannot leave Malton's quarantine zone. The population within Malton is therefore growing at an alarming rate, and the quarantine may not hold forever.
Theoretical advances are being made in that regard. NecroTech has announced that it has synthesized monoclonal antibodies which are partially effective against the virus. However, they are unable to completely halt amplification, and they have shown...deleterious effects in animal tests.
Dr. Liam Preston, Royal College of Surgeons
References: Lexicon:Airborne Transmission, Lexicon:Tracking operations, Lexicon:Theoretical Advances X1M43 05:58, 13 March 2007 (UTC)
