Alexandrian Flu
The Alexandrian flu, also known as the Flu Pandemic of 1651 and the Nameless Plague, was an exceptionally virulent influenza pandemic that ravaged Micras from late 1650 AN to early 1652 AN. Originating in Hamland during the Hammish Civil War, the disease was notorious for its devastating impact on the Empire of the Alexandrians, one of the largest empires of its time, and its significant role in the collapse of Hamland, leading to the rise of Caputia.
Conservative estimates place the number of infected at 690 million, other estimates place the number of infected closer to 850 million. The plague affected predominantly the Alexandrian and Hammish (Caputian) populations, with many others around the world succumbing to the plague but not to the same levels as Alexandria or Hamland, its epicenter.
With a death toll ranging from 500 to 700 million, the Alexandrian flu stands as one of the deadliest epidemics in Micras's history, leading to the total disintegration of Alexandria.
Background
A precursor event of profound significance, which fundamentally altered Alexandria's resilience to biological threats, was Operation Eternal Steel. Taking place in 1641 AN, this military conflict saw the Alexandrian armed forces combat the resurgence of the Falange para la Liberacion Indigena (FLI), a terrorist group intent on the liberation and independence of indigenous peoples in Tapfer. Amidst a climate of political turmoil and biological terror, the FLI executed a large-scale biological attack on major urban centers, including Geneva, Edgardia, and Rennes, utilizing deadly pathogens like ebola, anthrax, and the Marburg virus. The attack, which took place on 1641 AN, preceded the Alexandrian flu pandemic by a decade and resulted in over 100,000 immediate infections and thousands of deaths within the first week. This event had profound repercussions on the empire's public health, security posture, and societal fabric.
The biological attack launched by the FLI not only inflicted immediate casualties and chaos but also exposed and severely tested the Alexandrian healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals and medical facilities were overwhelmed, with reported cases of ebola, anthrax, and Marburg virus infection surging by 300% in the affected cities within the first month. The subsequent strain on medical facilities, coupled with the tragic loss of life, including the suicide of Minister of Health Jacques Germaux, signaled a critical vulnerability within Alexandria's societal and governmental frameworks. The government's slow and inadequate response to the crisis highlighted systemic weaknesses that, unbeknownst to many at the time, would later exacerbate the impact of the Alexandrian flu.
Hammish Civil War
The origins of the Alexandrian flu can be traced back to a covert biological warfare program spearheaded by General Augustus Eliphas in Hamland. At the heart of this program was the Bureau of Research and Defense Technology, located within the heavily fortified Iron Point Base. This base, under the guise of a mundane military installation, concealed a vast underground complex dedicated to the development of unconventional weaponry, including biological and chemical agents. A clandestine meeting between General Eliphas and an enigmatic figure known only as "the Nameless"[1] culminated in the creation of a formidable biological weapon intended to decisively end the Hammish Civil War in Eliphas's favor.
However, fate had other plans. The weapon, which Eliphas had hoped would secure his victory, instead became an uncontrolled scourge upon the people of Hamland. As his government fell to the international coalition assembled against it by Shireroth and Natopia, the containment measures at Iron Point Base failed. The virus quickly spread among the local population. Initial estimates suggesting that up to 12% of Hamland's population was infected in the first month. The situation deteriorated when returning Alexandrian peacekeepers, unwitting carriers of the newly developed pathogen, made their way home from the war-torn lands of Hamland after the Geneva Peace Agreement ended the Hammish Civil War They inadvertently introduced the virus to Alexandria, where it spread quickly due to the empire's still-recovering healthcare system and the dense urban populations of the empire's large urban centers, cities like Geneva and Edgardia.
Unprepared for a threat of this magnitude, and still reeling from the vulnerabilities exposed by Operation Eternal Steel, Alexandria was ill-equipped to manage the outbreak. The rapid spread of the virus among the Alexandrian population laid bare the empire's unresolved issues in public health and emergency preparedness, culminating in a pandemic that would irrevocably change the course of Alexandrian history. The Alexandrian flu, with a fatality rate exceeding 50% in densely populated urban areas, led to unprecedented levels of mortality and societal disruption that resulted in the collapse of the Empire of the Alexandrians.
Cause & Transmission
The disease is caused by a novel virus from the family Filoviridae, a group known for its filamentous structure and high mortality rates. This virus exhibits a unique combination of genetic material that encodes for virulence factors contributing to its high infectivity and lethality. The virus possesses a single-stranded RNA genome, enveloped by a lipid membrane derived from the host cell. Its replication mechanism involves direct entry into host cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis, followed by transcription and replication within the cytoplasm. The virus specifically targets endothelial cells, hepatocytes, and several types of immune cells, leading to widespread tissue damage and immune suppression.
Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled by infected individuals. The virus can also be transmitted via direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Aerosolized particles in enclosed spaces have been identified as a significant factor in the rapid spread of the disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The infection manifests initially with high fever, severe headache, and muscle aches, followed by a rapid progression to respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Patients often develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) within a week, characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs. Other symptoms include gastrointestinal distress, marked fatigue, and in severe cases, hemorrhagic manifestations such as internal bleeding and purpura.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is confirmed through the detection of viral RNA in respiratory specimens using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. Serological tests to identify specific antibodies can be used for later stages of infection or to confirm past exposure.
Treatment
Since the onset of the pandemic in 1650 AN, the landscape of treatment for the Alexandrian flu has evolved significantly. The initial approach was largely supportive, focusing on managing symptoms and complications. This included oxygen therapy for respiratory distress, fluid management to prevent shock, and the administration of antiviral drugs under clinical trial protocols. Experimental treatments also included the use of monoclonal antibodies targeting specific viral proteins.
By late 1652 AN, the first successful cure and treatment was discovered by a team of doctors and scientists at the Alexandrian Medical School (then located in Triegon, Alexandria - later Natopia). This was a major turning point in the fight against the pandemic. However, by this time, hundreds of millions had already succumbed to the disease. In the subsequent years, research initiatives from Shireroth, Natopia, Jingdao, and Caputia yielded a diverse array of effective treatments, offering patients multiple options for care. These treatments range from antiviral regimens specifically tailored to combat the virus, to advanced therapies utilizing genetically modified antibodies designed to neutralize the pathogen.
One of the most significant advancements has been the development of a medication that acts as a post-exposure prophylactic called BeneFlu by Farmacéutica del Ande, discovered in 1701 AN. When administered within the first 2 days of exposure, this medication has shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of developing severe symptoms, thereby improving outcomes for individuals at risk. This prophylactic measure represents a critical tool in preventing the progression of the disease in exposed individuals.
As of the year 1730 AN, the collective efforts of the international research community have dramatically altered the trajectory of the Alexandrian flu, transforming it from a once-devastating pandemic to a very rare and very manageable health condition with a range of effective treatments.
Prevention
Preventive measures emphasize infection control practices, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, and the isolation of suspected cases. Public health strategies have focused on contact tracing, quarantine, and social distancing to reduce transmission.
Vaccine
Since 1651 AN, the fight against the Alexandrian flu has seen the development and deployment of several vaccines, each with its unique approach and originating from diverse research efforts around Micras. The most prominent of these vaccines is AndeVax by Farmacéutica del Ande, which is widely used in Nouvelle Alexandrie, Constancia, and Natopia. AndeVax uses innovative RNA technology to teach cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response, without using the live virus that causes Alexandrian flu. It has been found to be the most effective vaccine, offering a high efficacy rate and a robust, long-lasting immune response. It is administered in a single dose.
Prognosis
The prognosis varies significantly with the timeliness and adequacy of supportive care, underlying health conditions, and the patient's age. The disease has a high fatality rate, particularly among older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions. Survivors may experience prolonged recovery periods and long-term respiratory and neurological sequelae.
Society and culture
Survivalist cultural ethos
The pandemic fostered a survivalist cultural ethos among the populations of Wechua, Alexandrians, and in nations such as Nouvelle Alexandrie, Natopia, Constancia, and Oportia. This ethos emphasizes self-reliance, preparedness, and community solidarity in the face of public health crises. It has led to widespread adoption of emergency preparedness practices, including stockpiling of essential supplies and the development of community support networks to assist the most vulnerable members of society.
Aftermath and Legacy
In the pandemic's wake, Consul for Defense Jaime Augustin Joaquin Primo de Aguilar attempted to establish a government-in-exile at the Palais de Saint Louis le Protecteur in Haraldsborg, Stormark, following The Regency Act of 2014. However, the disease's virulence left the remaining Alexandrian government unable to respond effectively. Notable officials, including Third Consul Juana Beazcoetxea Hernández and Rear Admiral Helena Chevalier, sought refuge in Natopia and Shireroth, respectively, while Primo de Aguilar escaped to Constancia.
The Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation unanimously passed a resolution to grant Natopian citizenship to Alexandrian refugees seeking asylum, leading to a significant influx of Alexandrians (approximately 36,000,000, or 10% of the empire's population) into Natopia, with the majority settling in the demesne of Thalassa.
Research
Given the flu's confined impact to Hamland and Alexandria, various research entities, including Jingdao's Unit 666 and Shireroth's Ordo Imperiale Decimae, expressed interest in acquiring virus samples for further study, indicating the pandemic's significance in global health research.
