A Body at the Lab

[drkenison]

Gloria wasn't sure what to make of all of this. The body in the cold storage wrapped in chains, the people, the mysterious disease. She was pacing around the secondary lab where she had the body because she didn't want it around her animals and this lab had the storage. She was waiting and hated it. Waiting for her professor, waiting for the people who helped her grab this thing and watching the door to the cold storage warily. Even though it was a reinforced door that thing scared her. She would never show it but she was afraid and uncomfortable. There hadn't been any sounds from the other room so she assumed the body was still secure.

Comments

[time_goes_by]

"No, but I am fluent in French. I wouldn't understand very much if you told me to read a German textbook."

Janie was excited about the textbooks, and couldn't wait to start reading and taking notes.

[drkenison]

There is some research in French. She handed the books over with a smile. However, I can't be certain of the content. I don't understand French.

Her mind slowly went back to the virus. We do know it is probably transmitted through a bite and that airborne infection seems unlikely. It is an advantage. This disease will be slow to spread compared to Influenza or some of the other, more dangerous viruses.

A thought occurred to her like a light bulb going off and she spoke with urgency. We need to test for blood transmission.

[time_goes_by]

"Thank you." smiled Janie.

"Transmitted by saliva and blood... We'll need to find out the incubation period too. The hunter has been missing for five days, which means that the incubation period is less than that. Fred reported that a friend told him the possum was alive before it was shot. Fred planned to stuff the possum, when it attacked. He also said that there was another wound on the animal. The virus appears to be active right after death. I don't know when Mr.Henderson died, or when he was attacked, but it does look like the bite had been on his leg for a while, because it was infected."

Janie looked at her notes as she spoke, then stopped when Dr.Kennison said they needed to test for blood transmission.

"We'll have to use an animal."

[drkenison]

We have another problem. Dr. Kenison seemed very worried. Have you ever studied the Black Death?

Gloria seemed saddened by the mention of animals. She knew it was necessary but did not like subjecting the poor things to harm.

We can work with the mice.

[time_goes_by]

"Not very much." admitted Janie "I know it killed most of the people that came in contact with it. Was it spread by animals, initially? Should we make sure dead animals are disposed of properly?"

Janie nodded, and was glad they wouldn't have to use the bigger animals, even though the mice were awfully cute.

[drkenison]

Fleas. Gloria commented with even more worry in her voice. Large, visible bites may not be the only vector for introduction of the virus.

Gloria nodded approvingly. A safe procedure for disposal should be easy to develop. We should determine the UV levels and temperatures required to destroy the virus.

[time_goes_by]

"DDT might not be safe." Janie said, frowning "How can we protect against fleas without killing the other insects?"

She was quiet for a long moment, thinking about what she was going ask next.

"What do we do if another person gets it? I took a sample from Fred, just in case... but I don't know what to do if it is positive for the virus."

[drkenison]

I am not sure. Gloria sighed heavily. We can test for possible vectors. One of the other researchers is working with malaria and mosquitoes.

Gloria was at a loss. We can test Fred's blood but I don't know what we can make a treatment. We can certainly try.

Gloria smiled. If you have the blood sample with you, I can show you how to look for the virus.

[time_goes_by]

"It's a saliva sample." Janie said, frowning "I didn't know that it was supposed to be blood."

She scribbled down a few more notes, and then went to her bag to retrieve the sample. Janie had read all she could on taking samples and storing them, so she hoped what she had was usable.

"I hope you don't mind that I'm taking notes on all of this. This is such an honor, and I don't want to forget any of this."

[drkenison]

It doesn't need to be. Gloria explained. A virus spread by bites should be found in the saliva too.


Gloria smiled and a tiny laugh escaped. I do not mind. I work with many undergraduate students who take more notes than you do.