Chapter 50 Chapter 48: Bleeding

Although I only slept for more than six hours, it was still not without a little sleep.This morning, Kathy got up first, and then the head of the first family walked into the dining room unshaven, tempted by the smell of coffee. If you're feeling bad, at least complain about the hangover.the president said.His morning paper is in its old place.A post-it note was taped to the front page of The Washington Post, right below Holzman and Planbo's article. It's corny.Shari said she had seen TV coverage of the incident. yes.Her father responded.The content of the article was much more detailed than the brief TV report. It claimed that Kilt not only acted illegally, but also that the information he leaked was not true. This was a deliberate political attack on the president by using the media.Ren snorted, feeling nothing new.The focus of this report is mainly to explain that this matter is a serious violation of the impartiality of the news, and to affirm Plumber's open and candid behavior.

The Washington Times had a different, but equally fierce rhetoric.Its editorial suggested that the Washington press would engage in a fierce cannibalism over this, while the politicians watched the show from the sidelines. Great, Ryan said to himself, at least they won't bother me for a while. Then, he opened the brown paper bag marked Confidential Documents, which was already very old. git.He cursed under his breath. This time they did it to themselves.Kathy said while looking at the newspaper. No, Lane replied, China. It's not yet an infectious disease, because no one knows what's going on.The doctors were very surprised when they received the call. At least 2,000 doctors across the country were awakened by the anxious voice on the phone.Every call mentioned blood in the vomit and diarrhea, but since each doctor received only one such call, there were multiple explanations for the condition.Bleeding ulcers, for example, because a lot of the calls are from business people whose work is always stressful.Most of the patients went to the emergency room of the nearest hospital for treatment, and some patients registered the outpatient service the next morning so as not to interfere with their daily routine.

In the lab, Lorenz is smoking a pipe and sitting in front of his computer with a few senior colleagues. Where did this come from?the epidemiologist asked. Chicago. America's Chicago? Alexander arrived at his office just before eight o'clock.The first thing he does when he comes to the office every morning is to check the fax.Received only one fax this morning, great news Merck just developed a new drug that was quickly approved by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical trials with encouraging results.Just then, the phone rang. I'm Dr. Alexander. Doctor, this is the emergency room.can you comeI have a patient here, Caucasian, thirty-seven years old, with high fever and internal bleeding.I don't know what it is I mean, said the resident, it looks like a disease I know, but

I'll be there in five minutes. good.She said she knew. The man who combined the titles of internal medicine, virology, and molecular biologist put on his white robe, buttoned it up, and went downstairs to the emergency room.He walked into the slightly empty emergency room with a calm expression, and the night is the busiest time here.He saw her, she was wearing a mask. Good morning, doctor.He said hello in a very charming Louisiana accent, what's going on?She handed him the case. It was his wife who sent him here.High fever, coma, low blood pressure, probably internal bleeding, bloody vomit and excrement, and some spots on the face.She reported, but I dare not make a diagnosis.

OK, let's take a look.She sounded like a promising young doctor, Alexander thought with pleasure.She knew what she didn't understand, and she was willing to ask for advice. But why didn't she ask those physicians?He took one more look at her, then put on a mask and gloves and stepped through the barrier drapes. Good morning, I'm Dr. Alexander.he said to the patient.The patient's eyes were glazed, and the spots on his cheeks made Alexander gasp.More than ten years ago George.Westpha's face appeared before Alexander's eyes again. How did he get here? His personal doctor asked his wife to send him here.

What does he do?Photojournalist?diplomat?Or work related to travel?The resident shook his head. He was a businessman, doing business along the Polasky Highway. Alexander looked around at the people around him.In addition to the responsible resident, there was an intern and two nurses, all wearing gloves and masks.Very well, she was cautious, and at this moment he understood why she was frightened. Have you had a blood test? Blood has been drawn, doctor.Cross testing is being done and blood samples have been sent to your laboratory. The professor nodded.very good.Send him to my ward immediately, I need a container for the test tube.Be careful not to cut your hands.The nurse turned to get things ready.

Professor, this looks like it's not possible, but Impossible, he agreed, but it certainly looked alike.Those bruises are exactly what the book says, so we'll just treat it as such for now.The nurse fetched the container.Alexander drew some more blood.Send him upstairs as soon as possible, and all personnel must be changed and disinfected.As long as proper precautions are taken, it is not that dangerous.Where is his wife? In the waiting room outside. Have someone take her to my office and I'll ask her some questions.Do you have any other questions?No one answered.OK, let's get to work.

Dr. Alexander checked the plastic container containing the blood, and after making sure it was sealed properly, he put it into the pocket of his white robe.The calm expression on his face disappeared as he walked towards the elevator.Looking at the shiny elevator door, he said to himself, no, it's impossible, maybe it's something else.Leukemia had some of the same symptoms, and judging by the dire diagnoses, he hoped it was leukemia.The elevator doors opened, and he stepped into the elevator, ready to go to his laboratory. Good morning, Jenny.He went into the heat source lab. Hi.Jenny.Clemente replied that she had a Ph.D. in molecular biology.

He took the plastic bottle out of his pocket.Get this tested as soon as possible, preferably right away. What's this?She is rarely asked to stop what she is doing, especially at the beginning of the day. It looks like a hemorrhagic fever.Tested on four levels. Her eyes widened.it's here?People all over America are asking the same question, but no one knows the answer. They're bringing the sick up.I have to go and talk to his wife. She picked up the container and carefully placed it on the workbench.General antibody test? right.Be careful, Jenny. Do not worry.she assured him.Like Alexander, she has conducted many AIDS experiments.

Then, Alexander went to his office and called Dave.james. How sure are you?asked the Dean two minutes later. Dave, it's only early symptoms, but I've seen it before, and George .Westfa's symptoms are the same.Now Jenny is doing a blood sample test.Until we find out further, I think we must proceed with caution.If the test came out as I suspected, I would call Lorenz to sound the alarm. Ralph returned from London the day after tomorrow.This matter is currently in your charge, keep in touch with me at any time. knew.he replied.Next it was time to talk to the patient's wife.

In the emergency room, under the supervision of nurses, cleaning staff are disinfecting.There was a loud bang of a helicopter above the building, and the first lady arrived for work. A courier arrived at the Centers for Disease Control and delivered the item to a technician in Lorenz's lab.Everything was going on quickly, the antibody test was ready, and the precautions were indeed taken. A drop of blood was dropped into a small glass test tube, and the liquid in the test tube changed color immediately. It's Ebola, doctor.The technician reported.In another room, an electron microscope is preparing to examine another blood sample.Lorenz walked over, his legs feeling weak from being up so early.The microscope is already turned on, just point the lens at the sample and the image will be displayed on the screen. Brace yourself, Gus.said a senior doctor.Once the magnification is adjusted, the image becomes clear immediately.There appeared to be a living gossamer in this sample, but after a while it ceased to be alive.Where did this come from? Chicago.Lorenz replied. Welcome to the new world.He adjusted the magnification to the maximum, and a filament appeared on the screen.You goddamn thing. The next step is to carry out more detailed testing in order to determine its strain.This will take some time. So, he has never been abroad?Alexander made a list of questions and asked them one by one. That's right.She affirmed that she had only been to one major auto show, and he would go there every year. Ma'am, I have to ask some questions that might offend me.Forgive me for having to do this to save your husband.She nodded.Alexander asked in as euphemistic terms as possible: Is it possible that your husband is involved with other women? No, it's impossible. Sorry, I have to know.Do you have foreign pets? Only two hounds.she replied, surprised at the question. Are there monkeys? No. If this continues, there will be no results.Alexander couldn't think of what to ask next, because people with this disease should have been abroad.Do you know anyone who travels a lot? Can I go see him without? Yes, but we must first arrange for him to be hospitalized and then treated. He never had any serious illnesses, he ran, he didn't smoke, he didn't drink a lot, and we were always careful.she began to cry. I can't lie to you.Your husband is very ill, but this is the best hospital in the world.I have studied infectious diseases in the military for twenty years.So you've come to the right place, with the right doctor.You have to say some of these things, even if they are very hollow.You must never take away people's hope. Then the phone rang. I'm Dr. Alexander. Alexander, I'm Jenny.Antibody tests came back positive both times, and it was indeed Ebola.She told him I had sent a sample to the Centers for Disease Control and that the microscope would be ready in fifteen minutes. Very good, I'll go there later.He hung up the phone and said to the patient's wife: Come on, I'll take you to meet my nurses, they are all excellent. This is not interesting, although infectious disease itself is not an interesting field.Next he had to explain to her that the nurse was also going to draw her blood. How is it, Scott?Ren asked on the overseas phone. They did miss a conundrum.Jack? go on. I've seen this guy named Zhang twice.He wasn't talking much, but he was more difficult to deal with than we thought.I think he is enough to sway the foreign minister.He's a rival, Mr. President.Tell Foley to start a profile for this guy, make a big headline. Will Taipei ask for compensation?the president asked. what you think? My gut feeling is to tell them how far they can go, but I shouldn't lose my mind, remember? They would listen to our request and then ask me where the United States stands.What should I say? Now we want to restore peace and stability. I can make this place peaceful for an hour or two.What do I have to say?the secretary of state insisted. You know more about that than I do.What's their purpose, Scott? I have no idea.At first, I was hoping it was just an accident, then I thought maybe they were trying to intimidate Taiwan, but that doesn't seem to be the case.Because they move too much and in the wrong direction.The third guess is that this is all just to test your reaction.If that's the case, they've gone too far.They don't know you very well, Jack.Honestly, I don't know exactly what they're thinking, so I can't tell you how the game should be played. We know Zhang is behind that bastard Japanese Yanata, and I know.They must also know we know this, because it's one of the reasons they don't dare mess with us.The stakes are high this time, Jack, Adler emphasized again, but I don't know why. Tell Taiwan we support them? OK, but if word got out, the People's Republic of China would up the ante, and we have tens of thousands, nearly a hundred thousand people in that country, and they could all be hostages.I haven't mentioned the trade considerations yet, but that's a big leverage too. But if we don't stand up for Taiwan, they will think they are alone and cornered Yes, sir, it's the same from another angle.I suggest it's best to go with the flow.I made a request, but Taipei refused, and then I suggested that they put this matter on hold for the time being, and wait until the airliner matter is dealt with.After that, we will ask the UN Security Council to decide.Their damn warships will run out of fuel sooner or later, and we've got a flotilla of ships around.So, nothing happens. Ren frowned, I don't agree, but let's try.In any case, this can support a day or two.My gut feeling is to support Taiwan and let the People's Republic of China jump. The world is not that simple, and you know it.Adler told him. is not that right?Just do what you say, Scott, and keep in touch with me. As ordered, sir. Alexander looked at his watch.Next to the electron microscope was Jenny's record book.She noted the time at 10:16 and described how she and her assistant associate professor confirmed the presence of Ebola.At the other end of the laboratory, technicians are testing the blood of patient zero's wife.The Ebola antibody test was positive; she too was infected, though she didn't know it yet. Do they have children?After knowing the news, Jenny asked. There are two, both go to school. Alexander, I wish they had paid for the insurance.Jenny said. What else? I have to draw the gene of the virus, look here, she pointed to the screen, look at the way the protein chains are put together, and this structure here?Jenny is an expert on the structure of viruses. Maine?God, that's how George no one knows how George got it, and he doesn't know how this patient is now It's too early to tell, but you know I have to do something Just go ahead and do it, it doesn't matter to him anymore, maybe it doesn't matter to her either.Oops, Jenny, in case it's airborne I understand, call Atlanta.You hit or I hit? I'll call. I'll make the goddam things look good.she swore. The walk from the lab back to the office can seem like an insanely long walk.His secretary, already at work, also noticed his apprehension. Dr. Lorenz is in a meeting.said the secretary.Usually that's enough to send people off, but not this time. Please interrupt him if you can.It's very important to tell him I'm Alexander from Hopkins. All right, doctor.Please wait a moment.She pressed the button to connect to the conference room call.Dr. Lorenz, I'm sorry, it's urgent. What's up? Dr. Alexander is on the third line, he said he has something important to see you. Thanks, Gus pressed the button, long story short, Alexander, we have a situation here.He said in an unusual tone. Well, Ebola has come to this side of the world.Alexander spoke. You talked to Mark too? mark?who is markasked the professor. Wait, wait, Alexander.why are you calling here I have two patients here who both have Ebola, Gus. In Baltimore? Yeah, what, anywhere else, Gus? Mark of Chicago.Dr. Kelan also found a case, female, 41 years old.I have taken photomicrographs of blood samples.In two cities that are far apart, the movements of the two world-class experts are almost the same. One pair of eyes is fixed on the wall in the small office, the other pair is staring at the conference table surrounded by ten other doctors and scientists, and the expressions are almost the same. exactly the same.Has one of them been to Chicago or Kansas City? No, Alexander replied, when was Crane's case discovered? Around ten o'clock last night.and yours? Before eight o'clock this morning.And the husband has symptoms, the wife hasn't but she tested positive oh shit Gus I need to contact Fort Detrick immediately. Well, keep an eye on the fax machine, Gus, suggested Professor Alexander, and hope it's all a bloody misdiagnosis.But both understand that this is not the case. Feel free to keep in touch with me. no problem.Alexander hung up the phone while thinking.He still has to make a phone call. Dave, this is Alexander. Both husband and wife are positive.The wife is asymptomatic, while the husband has all the typical symptoms. What is it, Alexander?the director asked cautiously. Dave, I just called Gus, and he's in a meeting with his colleagues about an Ebola case in Chicago.Dr. Crane reported around midnight and was not connected to our case.I think we may be facing an outbreak of infectious disease, and we have to warn the emergency room people that some very dangerous patients may be brought in. infectious disease?but That's my responsibility, Dave.The CDC is talking to the military about it, and I know how Fort Detrick will react.Another phone from Alexander rang.The secretary answered the phone outside the office, and soon she poked her head through the door. Doctor, it's the emergency room, and they say they need your presence.Alexander told the dean the news. I'm coming to you, Alexander.Dave.James told him. After the next call, you can go to your mission, Allahad said, and the timing is up to you.He didn't tell Raman that he'd better get his message wiped out, which is petty for a committed man to say that.We will never meet again in this life. I have to go to work.Raman said hesitantly.The order finally came, though somewhat hastily.The two embraced, and the younger one left. Casey?She looked up to see Dr. Katz poking his head into her office. What's the matter, Bernie? Dave asked the heads of departments to meet in his office at two o'clock.I have a meeting in New York, Hal has surgery this afternoon.Help me go there? OK, I'm fine. Thanks, Casey.His head flinched again.The doctor went back to her patient records. In fact, the dean told the secretary to call the meeting when he was leaving the house.Dave is in the emergency room right now, and he looks like any other doctor in his mask.This patient has nothing to do with the first two.The emergency room was set up for this situation, and from a corner ten feet away, they saw a patient vomit into a plastic container, blood was evident in the vomit. It was still the young resident working on the patient.He didn't mention that he'd ever traveled abroad, just that he'd been to New York on errands, and the usual things like theater and car shows.What happened to the first patient? Confirmed to be Ebola virus.Alexander told her, and her head swiveled. it's here? Yes, don't be too surprised, doctor.You were the one who notified me first, remember?He turned to the Dean, raising his eyebrows. All department heads please come to my office for a meeting at two o'clock.No way, Alexander, now a third of them are either operating or seeing a doctor. as soon as possible.Alexander took the dean outside.He lit a cigarette, somewhat surprising the security officers in charge of enforcing the ban. What the hell is going on? There is a possibility.Alexander puffed on his cigarette, and I can tell you with certainty what Fort Detrick will have to say. go on. Two index patients without any correlation, Dave.More than a thousand miles apart, eight time zones apart, unconnected.Think about it.Alexander said, puffing out worryingly again. There is insufficient evidence to support this conclusion.Dave disagrees. I also hope I'm wrong.Atlanta must be messing around, and while they have the best people there, they don't see it the way I do; I've been in uniform for a long time.He puffs out another puff, and we'll know what we're capable of.We are stronger than anywhere in Africa, as is Chicago, and so are the other places that are about to report symptoms; probably. Where else?Even though Dave is a great doctor, he still hasn't figured it out. The first person in history to use biological warfare was Alexander the Great, who used a catapult to shoot plague-infected corpses into a besieged city.In the end he took the city, slaughtered all the people, and moved on. He understood now at last, Alexander could see it.The dean's face became as pale as the newly brought in patient. Raman?Rahman was looking through the president's schedule at the command post.He now has a mission to complete, and it's time to start making some plans.Andrea walked towards him.We're going to Pittsburgh on Friday.Are you going with the advance team?There were a few minor issues to deal with at the hotel we were staying at. ok, when do i leave?Operator Laman asked. Ninety minutes from the plane.She handed him a ticket, you come back tomorrow night. Great, Raman thought, wishing he survived.If he had the sole responsibility for arranging the security of one of the events, it would be possible.He wasn't afraid of being heroic, but of course he would be happier if he survived. good.replied the assassin.He didn't worry about packing his luggage, because the guard operator always kept a luggage bag with the car. It was not until three reconnaissance satellites passed through the area that the National Reconnaissance Service began to study the situation.All six UIM heavy divisions participating in the exercise were at full combat readiness at this time; one might think this was normal.After large-scale exercises, the troops will always maintain a state of full combat readiness, but it seems too abnormal for six divisions to do so at the same time.The information was quickly sent to the governments of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.At the same time, the Pentagon notified the White House. It's me, Mr. Minister.Ryan replied. The United Islamic Republic's national special intelligence assessment is not yet complete, but we have received some, uh, some bad news.I'm sending General Jackson to report. The President listened, of course he would have preferred to have the National Special Intelligence Assessment so that he could have a clearer view of the political agenda of the United Islamic Republic.Any suggestions?After Jackson finished speaking, he asked. I think now is a good time to let the ships of Diego Garcia Island move, and there is no harm in letting them train and train.We can transfer them to Por Bay only two days' sail away without anyone noticing.In addition, I propose to issue readiness orders to the Eighteenth Airborne Corps; that is, the 82nd, 101st, and 24th Mechanized Divisions. Will the action be too big?Ryan asked. Will not.Treat this as a combat readiness exercise, but those officers have to use their brains. Well, don't be too pushy. Now is a good time to hold joint training exercises with friends in that region.Jackson suggested. I will think about it.Is there anything else? No, Mr. President, Brittanon replied, and we will keep you updated. As of noon, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta had received more than 30 faxes, from ten different states.The material was also sent to Fort Detrick, Maryland, home to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the military equivalent of the Centers for Disease Control.These data are too frightening to make instant judgments.The meeting of the head of the hospital's competent department will be held after lunch, and the personnel in the army are also busy compiling information.Many senior officers from Walter Reed Army Hospital got into their cars and headed for Interstate 70. Doctor Lane? What's up?Kathy asked looking up. The meeting in the dean's office has started, her secretary said, and they want you to come over right away. I'll go.She stood up and walked towards the door.Atman stood there. What's matter?asked her security officer. Something went wrong, but I don't know exactly what. Where is the dean's office?He hasn't been there yet. over there.She pointed to the administration building across the street. Doctors are moving north towards the Administration Building.The operators seemed to emerge from the ground out of nowhere.This would have seemed ridiculous were it not for recent events.If you don't mind, I'd like to go into the conference room with you.I won't get in the way.Altman assured her. Kathy nodded, because it was useless to object; she was sure he would hate the big windows in the dean's office.It's a ten minute walk to get there, almost all the way under protection.Walking into the building, she saw that many of her friends had already arrived.Alexander rushed in with a folder in his hand and a serious expression on his face.He almost hits her, and an operator shields her. Nice to see you here, Kathy, he said as he walked, and them. Thank you very much.Altman replied that he was observing a doctor when the Dean appeared at the door of the office. please come in. After taking a look at the meeting room, Altman decided to go over and lower the curtains by himself. Opposite these windows were some unknown brick houses.A few of the doctors gave him an annoyed look, but they knew who he was, so they said nothing. Now that the meeting was announced, Dave said before everyone was seated that Alexander had something important to announce. Without preamble, there are now five Ebola patients in the hospital.They were all brought in today. All heads turned at once, and even Kathy couldn't help blinking. Are you an international student?The chief of surgery asked, Say is here? One is a car dealer and his wife, one is a boat dealer from Annapolis, and three others, none of whom have traveled abroad, and four of them have obvious symptoms.The car dealer's wife showed an antibody response but was asymptomatic; that's good news.We're not new to this case, the Centers for Disease Control had had twenty cases reported as of an hour earlier from Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Dallas.This number is twice the number of indirect cases reported between ten and eleven o'clock, and may be increasing. Oh My God.The chief of internal medicine whispered. You all know where I worked before I came here, and I think they must be meeting at Fort Detrick by now.Their conclusion will be that this was not an accident, but that someone wanted to wage a biological war against our country. There is no objection to Alexander's analysis. These top world-class experts are all eager to learn and are willing to exchange opinions with people in different professional fields. Alexander, the head of the urology department asked, how could Ebola explode so quickly when it was written that it could only be transmitted by liquid? There's a Mainca strain named after a nurse who died from the disease, and a colleague of mine, George W.Westphall also died of the same disease in 1990.So far, the way they were infected has not been confirmed.There is a theory that this strain is airborne, but that has never been proven; Alexander explained, and also, you know there are many ways to intensify the virus. Is there no cure?Even though it's still in the experimental stage.asked the director of urology. Dr. Rousseau of the Pasteur Institute is conducting research, but no positive results have been obtained so far. Also no vaccine?The director of internal medicine asked, this shouldn't be too difficult. The Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases has been studying it for a decade.A vaccine that works for one strain may not work for another.Moreover, quality control is also a fatal factor.I have read research reports that 2% of the infection rate comes from the vaccine itself.Merck thinks they can do better, but it will take time. God.The chief of surgery flinched.The mortality rate of this disease is as high as 80%. If it spreads in the United States, the consequences will be disastrous. However, it is still too early to determine the extent of the infection in the country, and we cannot be completely sure that the disease can spread in the existing environment, said the director of the urology department, so we really do not know what measures should be taken. Completely correct.It's really easier to explain to these people. Our people will come in first, said the emergency room director, so I have to warn them in advance.We cannot risk losing our own people for no reason. Who's going to tell Jack?Kathy asked aloud, he should know, and must know sooner. Uh, that's for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Surgeon General of Public Health. You just said they haven't made a decision, Kathy replied, so can you be sure? affim. Casey turned to Altman and sent my helicopter over.