Satellite Plague

From Wild Southwest Wiki

The Satellite Plague was an epidemic that ravaged the Southwest after the crash of a pre-war satellite near the town of Muradup in March 2066. The outbreak lasted until October 2067 and killed around 8,000 people - roughly a sixth of the entire population of the Southwest.

The Satellite Crash and Start of the Plague

On the evening of March 8th 2066 a bright meteorite was observed passing over the town of Muradup in the Independent Settlements. It appeared to hit the ground to the north west of the town. On the morning of the 9th a group of curious townsfolk headed out in the direction of the impact and discovered a large crater surrounding the burnt and mangled remains of a pre-war satellite. Several small pieces of wreckage were carried back to the town, and plans were discussed to haul the entire wreck into the town square.

Two days later, on March 11th, cases of a mysterious illness started to be reported in the town. Victims were struck down by a strong fever with aches, chills and coughing fits. A connection was quickly made to the downed satellite and a party of townsfolk headed back to the crater and burned the wreck (it is thought that this only served to contaminate more people).

Over the next few days more cases of the disease were reported until almost half the town showed signs of infection. Among those infected symptoms worsened, progressing to paroxysms of coughing, severe respiratory difficulty and a yellowing of the eyes and skin. The first death occurred on the 14th, and by the 20th almost two thirds of those infected were dead.

By the start of April the population of Muradup had fallen from 300 to 79, from both deaths and from refugees fleeing the disease.

The Plague Spreads

Kojonup was the next population centre to be hit, with refugees from Muradup bringing the plague with them. The first cases appeared in late March, and by the end of April the population had plummeted from 520 to 130. Over half the drop was attributable to plague deaths.

The first cases were reported from Borden at the end of May, and Bridgetown at the start of June. Manjimup, Albany and Walpole all reported cases by June 20th and by the start of July the plague reached Bremer Bay and Margaret River - covering the whole width of the Southwest.

Fighting the Plague

The Albany Hospital began studying the plague after the first cases appeared in Borden, and were able to circulate medical and hygiene advice almost immediately. This, combined with stringent quarantine procedures implemented by most settlements, slowed the spread of the disease, buying time for research.

With the assistance of the Porongurup Rangers - who donated over half of their horses to the effort - the Hospital began work on recovering the technology necessary to create a vaccine in mid June.

The first experimental vaccine was produced almost a year later in April of 2067, and after two months of testing was declared safe and effective on July 12th. The Rangers distributed it across the state, and organised distribution to the other states and settlements.

not done yet!

The 'Satellite Plague' - as the disease came to be known - was carried to other settlements by fleeing townsfolk and raged through the south west until mid July 2067 when the Albany Hospital developed and distributed a vaccine. The final death toll was at least 8,000, or roughly a sixth of the entire population of the south west.

The crater was thoroughly decontaminated by personel from the Albany Hospital in 2068 and the remains of the satellite pulverised and buried. Nonethless, the site is generally avoided.

15th October - The last recorded victim of the Satellite Plague dies in Windy Harbour