Year 23 Day 126
Scathing reports of a new disease identified in Tar Morden amongst the increasing human populations on Tar Morden VI and a lack of response from the Government. Initially thought to be the stomach flu, local doctors had recommended supportive care measures with fluid and rest. Unfortunately, symptoms only seemed to worsen as the disease progressed. Colica Ustus, or so it has been nicknamed, can lead to gastric hemorrhage and even death. As hundreds have died, and thousands more become ill every day, many have raised the question as to what could have been done to prevent this.
Identifying novel microbes is not a new thing. Public health officials for the CIS routinely track microbes that live on the space stations and ships under its care, and occasionally identify new ones. Studying these new species, usually variants of previously identified microbes, lead to a plethora of new data for scientists to review and hopefully identify clues about surviving long missions.
This new pathogen, collected from specimens of the diseased, seems to be similar to a benign pathogen previously identified in Hevvrol. This pathogen, thought to be benign, was previously under investigation at Titan Research Station by Chiewab Amalgamated Pharmaceuticals. Chiewab was an incorporated medical company that had partnered with the CIS both during the Clone Wars and for decades after and had a rocky history. The company was immediately successful, with a popular line of species specific nutritional supplements through the Cheiwab Nutrition product line. Later, stock prices skyrocketed after the release of their primary product, BactOrange, and again after a potential cure for the Metamorphosis Plague was rumored. Sadly, ethical practices called into question some of these results and this led to stocks to tank. The company dissolved, leaving the CIS without an offical medical partner. Several Chiewab employees stayed on the payroll of the Confederacy and continued to work on Titan Station in Cularin up until the move to the Vensensor Sector.
One concern was that the pathogen responsible for Colica Ustus was some sort of weaponized variant developed by Ex-Chiewab employees. There has been concerns by experts about the genetic make-up of this new micro variant and questions as to why it primarily affects only humans. There are also calls for a conspiracy from local gossip magazines. According to an inside source, Life support systems had detected an unknown life-form hiding aboard the Depot IV station above Tar Morden months, but newly declassified documents obtained by Gossip suggested that the CIS researches were “cool with that”. This is extremely worrisome if true.
Others feel that this entire ordeal is nothing more than a hoax. Conspiracy theorists think it is far more likely that Colica Ustus is related to contaminated wastewater on Tar Morden VI.
To fill the void once occupied by Chiewab, Outer Rim Medical, a long time ally, has stepped into those shoes and are sending scientists to look into the outbreak. Tar Morden VI is likely going to be placed under quarantine while the research is carried out.
In response to the outbreak, tissue samples of the deceased have been taken to the Research Station in the nearby Sarrish system for further research. Hopefully a treatment option and potentially vaccine will be produced in short order. In the meantime, a hotline has been released. If you or a member of your party has been exposed, it is recommended that you quarantine immediately for 10 days and contact your local health department for further instructions. All humans in the Vensensor Sector are encouraged to wear a mask at all times, even alone or in a party with droids. All questions in regards to the Quarantine shall be directed to ORM leadership and Pat Kil’astra