Three nights ago, the ship's chief mate walked into the medical bay with severe bilateral pneumonia. He was 41 years old, a non-smoker, and had been fine that morning.
By dawn there were two more cases — both galley crew. By 09:00, the ship's doctor had narrowed the differential. By noon, he had a name.
HANTAVIRUS — RESERVOIR REASSORTANT — PERSON-TO-PERSON CONFIRMED
The chief mate died at 04:12 ship time. He is the index case.
The Borealis is now drifting in international waters. Five ports have refused docking. Three more are "reviewing." WHO is on a four-hour emergency call. Markets opened in the red and never recovered. There are children on board.
You are the World Health Desk. The decision of where she docks is yours alone. The outbreak begins there.