Twilight's Research Notes: Early Outbreak Information (What is Known)
As of now, the Green Plague, or 'Pustule Pox', or 'The Glow', still eludes me as to its origins. We have no patient Zero, and the only location I've been told is the origin point for the infection is beyond my safe reach. And, frankly, my source for that information is reliable in only some regards; I have my reasons to believe there was at least some exaggeration, if not an outright lie. What we can grasp of this contagion right now, though, is listed below:
The range of percentages in the Chance of Recovery during the early stage of infection is large, between 5-40%. A large gap, but it's there, and we've seen the recovery process first hoof. All the symptoms of early infection, all the concerns, but the infected individual manages to break the infection before it advances past the point of no return. The stronger the medical treatment is, the higher the Chance of Recovery rises, leading to very aggressive medical treatment for all early infected, though medical supplies have unfortunately become difficult to maintain as a result. Unfortunately, those who recover retain the symptoms of early infection as a chronic condition, leaving them immunocompromised. Granny Smith passed not long ago, having caught a cold shortly after recovering from early infection.
Samples studied have shown high rates of mutation, extremely high rates. Even now, I'm noticing changes to the samples I'm personally monitoring. Changes occur so fast that I can hardly keep up. There are already two types of infected, I fear more are yet to come.
Infected nonponies do not progress past the initial infection, and recover with chronic condition and are immunocompromised just like a pony who recovered would be. Dragons appear to be more resistant than other species, but their chronic symptoms adversely effect their natural functions. Poor Spike, I'm just glad he's still alive.
Attempting magic (healing spells, anti-curse magic, anything with positive, restorative effects) result in death of the patient. Instant, squealing death. It's... horrifying, really, to watch them shrivel up that way. Discord attempted using his chaos magic during an experiment once, and it seems as if the infection ignored his power completely, save a few instances where it resulted in rapid acceleration of the infection. Note: Those who were in the early stages were unaffected, later stage infected became overwhelmed with full-body pustules that don't seem to form in that manner under normal conditions. Pustules usually radiate outward from the site of a bite. Discord appears completely immune, and if he wasn't afraid of needles I'd be able to study it better.
Current treatment plan:
Rest and Meds (we're treating by symptom, everything from common cold medication to anti-psychotics, anything to alleviate the infection on a symptom-by-symptom basis)
Restrictive Quarantine. This prevents the spreading of the Glow and has been shown to be effective alongside rest and meds.
I only hope we can get this under control again. Watching the green lights out there in the streets, roaming mindlessly... I just think that if I'd been more careful, I could have saved them from this fate. My contact in the field told me it isn't my fault, but I don't know if I believe him.
Subjects Patients:
Cheerilee: Dead, Died of Starvation as a Type 1, Stage 3. It really is a shame; the foals went to her for comfort.
Sweetie Drops: Alive, Type 2, Late Stage 1, Mute. Vitals are fine, but she's becoming increasingly prone to stalking behavior, and tried to bite the last pony to enter her Quarantine cell for maintenance. A second high-security lock on her room doors was installed, a magic-based one this time.
Bow Hothoof: Alive, Type 1, Stage 1, progressing toward stage 2 rapidly. Came to us with news of Rainbow's mother's death, and a bite on his front leg. Rainbow Dash was devastated and near inconsolable. We tried helping him recover, but it was too late; he succumbed and progressed to stage 1. He just wanted to see his daughter one last time, he said to us, and Rainbow spends a lot of time with him, talking through the security glass of his room.
Fluffy Clouds: Dead, reached Stage 2 of Type 2, had to be put down. I'm just not comfortable housing full-stage type 2 infected in my castle; they aren't as easy to keep docile as type 1 infected, especially when they're always watching- and waiting for a chance to strike. At least soundproofing the rooms keeps the Growlers from getting too fiesty.
Nurse Redheart: Alive, became infected upon entering an aggressive Cheerilee's quarantine room and being bitten through the provided PPE. Updates to protective wear are in progress. Something is off, she says the light hurts her eyes so I can't get a good look at her when she hides in the dark. Every time I turn the lights on for examination or to collect samples, etc., she hides under her bed. She also stares, quite a lot. The glow in her eyes is stronger than a type 2, and she is eerily quiet most of the time when being observed too closely. Everything about her is unnerving and makes me want to hide... When she does speak, I see glow inside her, and pustules glow from under her skin faintly, like... like a really creepy pony-shaped lantern. She may be a new type- it is possible, given the mutation rate of the infection.
Number of infected that have died under my care since this mess started: 50. The higher the number rises the sicker I feel. I know I have to do what I have to do if I want to figure this out, but every loss feels personal. I just need some good news, some real progress, something to hold onto.