SporPar Pneumonia

Sporous Paragonimus is transmitted through different vectors based on the species. For humans, it’s inhaled into the lungs. Most commonly, it’s picked up from another human who’s exhaled Paragonimus spores. They can also catch it from infected marine species.   For marine life, the parasite lives on creatures that produce mucus on their skin. They can catch it through spores or rubbing against another infected animal. Unless their immune system is compromised, it’s less dangerous for them.   There’s no known case of infection in humans from the larva itself. It dies quickly when exposed to air. The spores, however, will survive dried out for several months. The spores will not survive in the human digestive tract.  

---

The first symptom is a mild cough three to five days after infection. As the larva grows and develops, the cough will become worse. Once all the spores have germinated, their infection rate dips due to the larvae not being able to survive outside of the body.   Depending on how strongly the person’s body reacts, they could develop pneumonia during this early stage of infection. As more of the spores and larvae grow, so will the symptoms. The parasite attaches itself to the walls of the lungs once mating is over. It will stay until it’s recovered and ready for the next mating round. If the body or medicine doesn’t kill it, the parasite can’t be coughed out. As more SporPar attaches to the lungs, the more difficult it will be for the host to breathe. This is the most common cause of death from SporPar.   Since the initial outbreak, there have been nine cases of lethargica that are thought to be caused by the parasite. Though with so few cases, it’s not a certainty. All the infected have tested positive for SporPar; all except one had been asymptomatic. Lethargica is a type of “sleeping sickness.” The first signs are headache, fatigue, and sometimes an early onset of body tremors. As it progresses, the infected will become more and more detached. They may develop tremors, stiffness, and difficulty focusing on visual stimuli.   There is no cure for lethargica. As a precaution, anyone who tests positive for the parasite is given treatment even if they show no signs of illness.    

---

Sporus Paragonimus is vulnerable to anti-parasitic medicines. The Talithans already had several of these in place and tested them all. The parasites died quickly with exposure to three separate drugs. A benzylamine drug, made from the Moringa Oil Tree, is the preferred treatment. It works best at the earliest onset, but also has the fewest side effects. If this doesn’t work, they have two other drug options before they’re in experimentation mode.  

---

The vaccine was developed within nine months of the parasitic outbreak in the Great City of Anunitum. Prior to this, isolation and masking were enforced. If someone is ill, they’re still required to isolate. The identity system developed by the Talithans allows them to notify people who were near an infected individual. However, they’re not asked to isolate. With the vaccine and treatment options, death is rare.   People may not travel to Candamius, the origin of SporPar without the vaccine. Everyone tests for the parasite before leaving. There have been no significant outbreaks in Candamius since the one that hit patient zero and the first sol 1003 expedition.  

---

Sporous Paragonimus was unknown until Talitha Harbor, age 1003. An expedition was sent to The Great Island of Candamius to gather information for planning their fourth Great City. A group of Vocation of Preservation members had discovered a new species. Unknown to them, the salamanders they found were ill. Naomi Azalea (she/her) was the first person to show signs of illness, and the first to die from it.   The expedition stayed in Candamius until they went a month without symptoms. Supplies were delivered without human contact. There were members from the Vocation of Health Services with them, so they had medical treatment. Only one other person died, another ecologist.   The Candamius and Anunitum members were dropped off first when they could return from the expedition. Because a research team from Anunitum needed quick transport to Candamius, the Pangu members had to change sailing ships. At this time, the Talithans only had one cruise runner, a sailing ship that was significantly faster than the traditional vessels. By the time the members of Pangu reached their island, Anunitum had reported their first illness. As soon as the Pangu members arrived, they were isolated until Health Services developed a test.   A ten-individual research team left for Candamius right after the first expedition returned home. Tier-III Specialist Jehan Godefray (he/him), a microbiologist from Preservation, and Tier-III Specialist Svetlana Nazarova (she/her) an infectious disease researcher from Health Services led the team. They worked remotely with immunologists at Health Services, contributing to the development of the vaccine. The group is highly regarded by the people of Talitha Harbor.