One might wonder how scientists came to these conclusions without studying living infected?! Have there been classified studies, illegally? As there are no documented cases of survivors to date, it is safe to say we’re dealing with a death rate of 100 %. With the speed of incubation – were the virus to actually break out, let’s say in the Midwest, within 48 hours all of the US would be affected. Humanity has never faced an enemy this virulent.
One of the worst pandemics this planet ever faced was the 1918/19 Spanish Flu pandemic, caused by a severe and extremely deadly influenza virus. It killed about 40-50 million people. That disease killed rather swiftly.
Another pandemic raging across the globe today is connected to the HI-virus that causes Aids which, to this day (from the time it was discovered in 1981) it will have killed more than 25 million people, one of the most disastrous epidemics in recorded history, with a virus that’s doing its killing very slowly, a wise evolution for the parasite, as it manages to keep the host alive for a long time.
Once having entered the body, the virus breaks open a cell and uses it for its purposes. In order to enter a host, the virus needs said host’s help. And that it enforced with a perfidious trick:
Every cell’s surface contains structures based on glucose and protein enabling chemical communication and exchange of substance with other cells, while being unique like individual locks. A virus’ coat holds molecules of similar structures that fit perfectly – like lock and key. If a virus meets a cell with a fitting lock, it will insert its ‘key’, unlock the cell’s ‘door’ and be allowed inside. So, you could compare a virus to a burglar who possesses the picklocks necessary.
However, every viral type can only enter a cell that holds the lock to its key. For instance, the HI-pathogen only invades certain groups of cells of the immune system. If a cell’s defence mechanisms fail, it will be submitted to the viral commands and change accordingly, becoming a producer of viral protein molecules, which eventually leads to the construction of copies of viral genetic substance and proteins necessary for the production of viral coats. By that strategy the virus condemns the subdued cell to create viral offspring.
‘It’s a treacherous war inside the body’, Amanda Lee stresses. ‘Viral impact on life can be dramatic, as you know. Viruses adapt to new environments at astounding rates and their genetic variability jeopardizes vaccine efficacy. Many viral mutants become resistant to antiviral agents or host immune responses.’
Mass production is only a part of viral survival tactics. To survive permanently, they need to find new victims and therefore a way to leave the host and get on to another. The rabies virus, according to Lee holding close similarity to Croatoan, follows an ingenious strategy: it multiplies initially where it entered the body, then along the neural pathways, enters the brain and destroys extensive areas there which eventually leads to the symptoms described above.
The pathogen causes major changes within the host that helps its spread. It does not only reprogram the cells of the host but also his behaviour. But, the host dies in the end, if not inoculated in time.
From the viewpoint of evolutionary biology this is quite unusual, as it seems illogical for the virus to kill the host and thus depriving itself of its basis for existence. The answer lies in variability – the rabies virus does not only infect dog or fox, but all kinds of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Thus there is a collection of hosts to choose from which will guarantee the pathogen’s survival.
E.g. the Ebola virus reproduces itself mostly within flying fox populations and the infections passes rather harmlessly. Those populations are the virus’ natural reservoir. It rarely enters a human body and then the effects are disastrous. In these cases the human body is nothing but a lethal mistake for the virus.
Many viruses humans have been familiar with for a long time rarely claim a high body count, as we have built various forms of immunity. Responsible for that is a long evolutionary process of adaptation, with viruses eventually becoming less aggressive, thus ensuring the chances of being passed on to another host, like for example the virus that causes the common cold which is hardly dangerous.
‘As humanity is facing a new threat with Croatoan, we are in desperate need of a vaccine’, says Dr Lee. ‘Our immune system won’t have enough time to adapt. We, as a species, will become extinct in no time.’
Lee assumes the Croatoan virus to be specifically designed to serve as a weapon. ‘We don’t know if the people responsible, whoever they are, took care of a vaccine. We have, so far, not managed to develop one, as the sulphur, a vital part to the virus, vanishes too quickly for us to effectively work out an antiserum. To be frank, it scares the living daylights out of everyone who studied the virus. As humanitarians we have to take the responsibility the knowledge of it carries to heart. We are responsible to protect ourselves and our families here, but also everyone around the globe.’
She also explains her mysterious encounter with a young man, one of the two marshals, who apparently was immune to the virus. After having been exposed, he didn’t show any symptoms and his blood stayed clear of the tell-tale sulphur. ‘I don’t have to say that his young man his partner referred to as “Sam†is the one person I need to find. Even one sample of his blood might help us create a vaccine to stop an outbreak.’
‘We are in a situation where everyone around the planet is vulnerable to an infection we don’t know how to fight and don’t have any immunity to it, except for this one man. We need to find him.’
Jaspala Wesson was informed that a nationwide search has been commenced to find the mysterious ‘Sam’ with descriptions in leaflets, newspapers and magazines and soon in television clips.
Kind readers, I couldn’t resist this hypothetical, almost fan-fiction like article after reading some most interesting books on viruses. I thought to use some of the knowledge acquired for a bit of fun. Any microbiologists out there – feel free, please, to correct anything you deem wrong. In contrast to you, I have not studied this stuff, only read about it and I’d be most grateful to learn from you.
Also, I like the idea that Croatoan will not be forgot in the course of the show. I hope it re-surfaces in some way, and I like the thought of Sam being the only one immune to it and that he might be hunted because of it. Of course, I have no clue whether Supernatural’s creators plan to follow anything like that in the upcoming sixth season. Personally, I would welcome an episode that deals with it. Perhaps we will encounter Croatoan again, perhaps not. But, and I am sure of that, we will have tremendous fun diving into the new season.
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Ah, my dear, Jaspala – erh, Jasminka (love the combo and choice of last names…who is the Smith to your Wesson?)
This was a fun hypothetical, pseudo fanfiction endeavor you embarked upon.
Crisply written with a flow from beginning to end that kept me engaged. I like how you had fun with Croatoan as well as brought back in Dr. Amanda Lee…I liked that doctor, another strong woman that helped and was helped by the Winchesters.
We’re fast approaching the sixth season, no idea if Croatoan will ooze its way into the overall arc but it was fun while we had it. I still love that ep by the same name.
Thanks for writing
*cough* it’s Niveus, not Nucleus.
How long’s it gonna take before somebody connects the Sam Dr. Lee’s looking for with the Sam reported dead in Monument, Colorado?
Jaspala Wesson, intrepid reporter! 😀
That was really fun, liebes, and very informative, too. Viruses are scary suckers. I remember seeing the pictures of them in biology textbooks. They’re really nasty looking, and they almost look – dare I say it – alien. Or supernatural!
I also like the idea of Sam being hunted for his blood because that just makes sense. If there was an outbreak, he would be a perfect source for a vaccine. I sure wouldn’t trust Niveus!
Thanks for writing this.
Flamey
Hello Elle2, EllieMurasaki and Ardeospina, thank you so much for commenting, ladies!
Elle2, I think it would be Wesson,S.&Wesson,J., ahem…
I am happy that you liked this, it’s always a great feeling to know someone read and liked what I wrote. Thank you.
EllieMurasaki – * blushes * ooops, how could that happen? So embarrassed… Thank you for pointing out that major mistake, of course it’s Niveus… I guess I was reading too much about the nucleus of a cell… * blushes some more *
And – who knows? Sometimes federal institutions are just blind, don’t you think?
Flamey, it was fun becoming a reporter for a short while. And viruses are really fascinating… could be a sick fascination of horror in my case, but I think the more you know about your enemy, the better you can – perhaps – find a defense. Not that I would ever deem to be able to defeat these nasty suckers. But I highly admire people who devote their lives to doing exactly that.
Thank you! Jas 😉
GREAT FUN Jas!!! Do more!
Hey Jas – love this article. Very cool. Love it how Dr. Lee was woven back into this story. Down the road, should a follow-up article ever occur, wouldn’t it be cool if the people at Niveus and Dr Lee discovered that one of the mysterious armed men helping those employees at Niveus was indeed the “Sam” that Dr. Lee is looking for? Would be a fun discovery.
Aww Jas , you are so like your boy, you both love your research. Dont think the history of the virus would be my choice for a little light reading but it sure made for a fascinating and also scary article.
I loved that Dr Amanda Lee resurfaced here, you know Croatoan has always been one of my favourite episodes and I revisit it often.
It`s an interesting thought that the virus might return cant wait to find out if it does.
Please also pass on my thanks and congratulations to Jaspala Wesson,hope she graces us with her work again sometime.
Lois Lane is having jealous fits–Hats off & a Pulitzer to the intrepid Jaspala Wesson! 😀
Hi Jasminka
This was great!
Jaspala Wesson (love the name btw) certainly did some major research. Lets hope they are able to find this ‘Sam’ and produce a cure. I would hate to see this particular virus at my doorstep.
Sablegreen, Dany, Evelyn, Julie, ElenaM and Karen, wow, thanks for reading this!
Sablegreen- thank you so much, happy you enjoyed this! Perhaps Jaspala Wesson can become a recurring character…
Dany, biology rocks, don’t you think?! Great idea – a demon in the hands of the good doctor… Oh, I feel Frankenstein come along….
Evelyn, I love your idea of the discovery of ‘the’ Sam… I will think it over and perhaps a follow-up will occur (praying that the writers of the show will get there, too… ahem)
Ju, indeed, I love research and learning. I kinda stumbled on the virus books and couldn’t put them away. I will of course pass on your wishes to Jaspala (perhaps I should get myself a t-shirt saying ‘I’m schizophrenic’ on the front and ‘Me, too’ on the back)
ElenaM – Lois Lane? ‘the’ Lois Lane? Well, learning from the best… thank you, dear
Karen, don’t worry, this virus won’t stop over… I have a feeling that some secret compartments are doing their best…
This was fun to write and it’s so great that you enjoyed reading this, ladies. Thank you, Jas
Alice, thanks so much for correcting my Niveus-lapse!! Much obliged to my editor in chief! Have I told you lately that you rock? Three cheers to you! Jas 🙂
Dear Jaspala Wesson,
thanks for informing the world about that new threat. Seems it was kept under a huge blanket by the people responsible.
I am sure looking forward to more revealing articles since you seemed to be the best informed researcher out there. Can’t you do like a weekly column?
Sincerely yours
Yirabah
Good job on the reporting there, Jaspala!
Viruses are scary little buggers. I see enough of them in the animals I treat. Rabies scares me, & I’ve had to submit brain tissue several times over the years to test for it (& I’m not going to describe how I have to collect that tissue for testing…ugh!) but thankfully I’ve never had a positive case. Your description of its symptoms is accurate. The Croatoan virus would be a thousand times worse!
I like how you brought Dr. Lee back into the story. I hope that the 6th season does include mention of the virus again & it would be interesting to see how Sam would handle the situation!
Wow, Jas, first I thought this would be a funny article, and then I actually learned something! Loved it! Loved how you brought back Dr. Lee, and the idea of a nationwide search for Sam. Hope the writers read this, this would make a great story arc … maybe for season 7? 😉
All the best to Jaspala 🙂
Yirabah, BagginsDVM and Freebird, I’m a tad late in responding to your kind comments, forgive me 😮
Yirabah, I am immensely flattered by your suggestion and I can assure you that Jaspala Wesson will return. She just doesn’t now yet how… 😉
Dawn, oh, I’m glad that I got that right. Thank you. I can imagine how it feels to take tissue and do your thing with it, I was an intern at a MS unit, once… we didn’t do brain sections, but lumbal punctures. That was nasty. Not going into details, here.
Lara, well, perhaps, if Fortuna smiles at me, the writers will find this and make up a story about Croatoan again? Ah, a girl can dream….
Thank you all, I will pass on your greetings to Jaspala. She’s on some expedition, I think.
Love Jas