Chapter 199: BE-006
Chapter 199: BE-006
A day later.
“Whirling—”
The activation of the printer suddenly produced a whirring sound, disrupting Chen Chen’s train of thoughts.
At the same time, the childish voice of Little X was heard. “Sir Godfather, the virus report is ready!”
“It’s finally ready?”
Chen Chen retrieved the report from the printer and shifted his attention to the report’s header.
It wrote:
“Description: Diameter 80 nanometer, Length 970 nanometer, in fibrous form. Its genetic material is in the form of single-stranded RNA that’s encased in an envelope. There exist 5 different proteins spiked on the envelope, which are categorized into VP series protein and P-glycoprotein. Its nucleotides have a 98.8% similarity to the Preston Virus. It is confirmed as a mutated strain of the Ebola Virus and can be tested using the Preston Ebola Virus PCR Test.”
Chen Chen was not surprised as he had long deduced these findings. He carried on reading.
“The virus RNA gene map was attached below the summary which includes NP, VP35, VP40, and many other proteins.”
The report continued. “Upon the infection of the host by the virus, the incubation period is typically more than two days, subsequently causing a severe infectious disease – Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. There is still no official death statistics to date. Cause of death includes stroke, myocardial infarction, hypovolemic shock, and multiple organ failure.”
“Transmission routes that have been identified thus far are airborne transmission, which includes saliva and body-fluid transmission as well as through blood, feces, and vomits.”
Chen Chen immediately became alert. Looked like the virus was airborne after all. This could be tricky.
Even if everyone were to stay at home, there was no guarantee that the virus would not be carried by winds into their windows and door cracks.
“According to a preliminary investigation, the incubation period of the virus is more than two days. The virus is still infectious during the incubation period. Symptoms present during this period include fever, fatigue, muscle soreness, headache, sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, kidney failure, and liver failure in the later stages.”
“Then, sudden death will occur secondary to organ failure within the host within three days. Analysis conducted to date suggests that the virus is a Biohazard Level 4 virus, posing a huge threat to humanity!”
“The virus is temporarily named as Blacklight virus.”
After finishing, Chen Chen put down the report, his fingers were gently tapping on the table.
Blacklight virus?
D*mn it, this was straight out from Prototype!
After contemplating for a good while, Chen Chen lifted his chin and said, “X, can the World Health Organization name a virus after a company name?”
“There’s no precedence to this. However, it doesn’t violate the rules enacted in 2015.”
X continued. “In 2015, the World Health Organization ruled that a new disease couldn’t be named after cities, countries, regions, people, food, cultures, ethnicities, and professions. However, it didn’t specify companies in the list.”
“Is it that strict?”
Chen Chen was surprised at that rule as the earliest strain of Ebola virus was named Ebola Zaire. Ebola came from the name of a river whereas Zaire was the name of a country.
There were many examples of viruses named after a region as well such as the Australian bat rabies virus, California encephalitis virus, and Bolivia and Paraguay virus.
These viruses had names that were intricately linked to the local region.
Furthermore, although it sounded derogatory when a virus was named after a region or country, virus names had a prideful ring to it when it was named after the person who had discovered it.
Examples were such as Yersinia pestis, Escherichia coli, and salmonella.
There were often naming rights disputes in various situations, just like how France and the United Kingdom’s tug of war over the right of discovery for HIV.
However, the name of this infectious disease had long been coined since the 1970s and was called the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. As a result, Chen Chen only had the naming rights for this newly mutated virus.
Even under such a circumstance where the virus could not be named after a person or a geographical region, naming the virus as Blacklight virus did not seem acceptable either...
“If that’s the case, let’s just call it the Blacklight Ebola Virus. It would be the sixth variation of the Ebola virus discovered by humanity and as such, can be written in academic journals as the...”
Chen Chen gave it another thought and proceeded to write “BE-006” in an empty space of the report.
Yes, that was more like it...
Chen Chen nodded and instructed, “X, please contact Qian Wenhuan.”
Following Chen Chen’s order, it was not long before someone knocked on his office door.
“Please come in.”
Chen Chen raised his head and saw Qian Wenhuan, who was drenched completely in his sweat. “Boss, did you want to see me?”
“Wenhuan, how’s the situation with the Eco Science City tourists?”
Chen Chen did not explicitly mention the incident but instead chose to subtly slip into the topic.
“We’ve informed our clients that we’re providing free transportation service to send them back to their countries using our private jets. However, many of our clients refused to return and instead chose to travel further to Namibia.”
Qian Wenhuan answered.
“That’s alright. From now onward, I’ll import a large quantity of Preston Ebola Virus PCR Test Kit from Mainland China. These test kits are capable of testing this variation of Ebola virus.”
Chen Chen passed the report to Qian Wenhua and continued. “However, we need to inform these clients that should they decide to leave Eco Science City, we shall not be held liable toward their own personal safety.”
“Understood.” Qian Wenhuan nodded as he looked at the report.
“Apart from that, I have another more important issue to discuss with you.”
Chen Chen instructed further, “I’ll personally see to the issues of Eco Science City. For now, I’ll need you to quickly retrieve the virus strain of the new virus and submit it at the WHO headquarters along with this report.”
“You’ve separated the virus strain?”
Qian Wenhuan was overjoyed. “This is the golden opportunity for our company to be famous worldwide!”
“Which is why I need you to be fast.”
Chen Chen nodded. “Not only that, but you’ll also have to bribe the media to portray our company as the leading figure in combatting the pandemic. I believe these are already your expertise.”
“Understood!” Qian Wenhuan was taking his job seriously.
He fully understood the intention hidden within Chen Chen’s decision. They could not be soft in this matter. If they did not take charge, it was a matter of time before other companies would.
By then, not only would the first-mover advantage be ceded to a third party, Blacklight Biotechnology would only be a pawn to others.
After all, too much righteousness could sometimes backfire...
After sending Qian Wenhuan off in a private jet, Chen Chen dialed Xia Yin’s number.
“Xia Yin, I’m sending over a copy of a report to you. What you need to do is to immediately contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and report to them the situation in Namibia.”
Before Xia Yin could respond, Chen Chen instructed further, “At the same time, place purchases on all sorts of disposable medical equipment such as face masks, medical gowns, and disinfectants. Most importantly, purchase lots of Preston Ebola Virus PCR Test Kits!”
“Understood. I’ve seen the news that a pandemic has broken out in Africa. If these are your instructions, I’m guessing that the pandemic is due to an Ebola virus?”
Xia Yin was shocked for a moment before she could respond. However, unlike previously, her tone had now resembled that of a strong, determined woman.
“That’s right, the virus is infectious and airborne, with a mortality rate of over fifty percent. It’s possible that it’ll soon spread throughout many countries within a few days. You need to be careful.”
“Okay.”
Xia Yin gave a brief reply and did not say any further. Chen Chen then soon hung up the phone.
It was a swift phone call yet when Chen Chen had unhesitantly hung up the phone. Xia Yin was once again overtaken by a brief feeling of emptiness. However, that too passed very soon.
At that moment, a secretary dressed in black pantyhose and a white blouse came rushing in. She said, “General Manager, the chairman has sent a document over, please take a look.”
“Bring it over.”
Xia Yin lifted her head and received the document. However, once she had read through the report, her face immediately turned worrisome....