Miecalism

"Death Fever" redirects here, for other uses see Death Fever (disambiguation)

Miecalism, also known as Death Fever, is an often fatal illness caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium miecalinum. The disease begins with characteristic photospia, before quickly progressing to cortical blindness, flaccid paralysis, and finally respiratory failure. Without treatment, primary Miecalism results in the death of 60% to 70% of those infected, and of those that survive a further 80% suffer from permanent visual, physical and mental impairment, which includes personality changes, paranoia and hyperaggression. Contrary to its name, the disease does not cause a fever.

Miecalism is commonly transmitted through horse-fly bites, but can also be transmitted through contaminated food and water in the form of bacterial endospores. Endospores can survive for years in soil and water, and cannot be destroyed by boiling -- only sustained temperatures of over 120C for >5 minutes has been found to be effective in destroying them. These endospores produce the toxin Miecalin, which is responsible for its pathogenic effects. Miecalin is one of the most acutely lethal neurotoxins known, with a human median lethal dose (LD50) of 1.5-3.1ng/kg intravenously, second only to Botulinum toxin. However, unlike Clostridium botulinum, C. miecalinum blood-borne spores can be actively transmitted by animal vectors.

First mentioned at the end of the Asoritan Empire, it is believed to be the primary cause of the collapse of Bronze Age civilisation. Miecalism is believed to have killed 50% to 80% of the world’s population in fewer than three decades, either due to Miecalin’s acute toxicity or subsequently due to chronic symptoms. Infections peaked each summer, coinciding with an increase in horseflies. Pastoralists were most affected, although agrarian cultures which relied upon cattle, goats and buffalo for draught, meat and milk also suffered greatly.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms present within 12-14 hours after initial infection. Miecalin first affects the occipital lobe, leading to the characteristic visual disturbances which can range from photospia to complex visual hallucinations (CVH). Generally, these effects last no longer than five days before tunnel-vision occurs, which increases until vision is permanently lost (< 1 week), although some people retain limited sight. Even in those with total sight loss, visual hallucinations may still be present.

Simultaneously, drooping eyelids, facial paralysis and slurred speech can be observed, as well as persistent tiredness and paranoia. Without treatment, patients generally do not survive longer than two weeks from the initial presentation of symptoms; those that do are often permanently affected.

Of those that survive the initial infection, other symptoms develop such as hyperaggression, poor impulse control and personality change. This is caused by Miecalin’s movement to and subsequent degradation of the frontal lobe. Those displaying these symptoms will often not be aware of the change.

Prevention

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Treatment

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Other Species

Miecalism can occur in vertebrates and invertebrates; it has been reported in horses, bovids, deer, camels, goats, chickens, waterfowl, leeches, crayfish, drosophila, mosquitoes, etc. In herds of cattle exposed to the disease, there is a 60% to 70% mortality rate, with death occurring 72-128 hours after infection. Horses are also affected, with symptoms similar to that of grass sickness.

The name Miecalism comes from the Miecan Culture, where the disease is believed to stem from.

Pigs are totally resistant to the disease.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

This week-long event will put you and your culture to the test; what advancements or detriments would they experience? How would - nay, could - your state cope with a disease like this? What’s the cure?

Simply put, it’s time to shake Dawn up.

I’m not expecting thousands upon thousands of pages of RP (although that’d be awesome), but would like to see realistic, well-researched strategies for how your states and cultures mitigate the damage -- if they don’t fall straight into anarchy, that is. All posts relating (even slightly) to how your cultures handle the crisis should be LINKED IN THE COMMENTS HERE by the end of WEEK 9.

Those with the BEST RP will receive FREE TERRITORIES, UNIQUE TECHS and FIRST DIBS ON WHAT CRISIS WE’LL HAVE NEXT. There will also be an additional secret prize for the one who shoots themself in the foot the best, cos that’s what we prize here in Dawn. Oh yeah, there’s also NO TECH POST this week, so if you want techs you’re gonna have to get them through crisis RP. Expansions will also NOT be allowed unless they relate to the crisis.

Lotsa love, happy collapsing!

Eroticinsect x

PROJECTED MAP OF SPREAD (MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO AFFECT IT)