Hyxæchoria

Lapris are asymptomatic carriers of hyæchoria. When stressed, they sweat a clear-yellow oil from modified sweat glands, where the bacteria resides; the oil transfers the bacteria onto the fur, where it transfers onto surfaces via contact, or is aerosolised when the lapris shakes itself.

The introduction of lapris into Kjerforland spread the disease nationally - when the infected animals were taken for slaughter, they spread the disease to the workers. As the disease comes from contact with the stress-produced oil, is transferred via surfaces, and not every lapris carries the bacteria, it was not initially connected to the animal.

Beginning with tremors in the extremities, the disease progresses to uncontrollable shaking and spasms in the major muscle groups.

Without treatment, the spasms progress to the internal organs. Death comes from oxygen starvation after the heart and/or diaphragm begin to spasm and oxygen can no longer be transferred around the body.

Silver washing areas contaminated with the oil prevents the spread of the bacteria.

Antibiotics have proven useful in treating the illness before it reaches the third stage (full body spasms) but the scarcity of antibiotics and their experimental status means that many cases go untreated.

A bacteria infection, the disease has the capacity to affect people in close contact with the afflicted. The disease is known as a "family killer", affecting entire households and medical staff who make direct contact with the the patient's bodily fluids.