City Government Building Conference Room.
"The regions where juvenile parasites have been found are mainly concentrated around the Guangming Reservoir area, including Changgang Town, Xuxiang Town, and part of Hongshan Town, affecting a population of about 170,000 to 180,000. These areas are now strictly sealed off, waterways have been blocked, and supplies, epidemic prevention personnel, and doctors are already in place.
The main issue now is that this parasite is a new alien species, and there is currently no targeted medication.
As of this morning, the recorded death toll has exceeded one thousand. We might face a peak in the number of deaths in the coming days," a deputy mayor said with a grave expression.
The alien parasites are highly resilient. For otherworldly creatures, they may be as ordinary as roundworms, but for fragile ordinary humans, they are completely lethal.
Ordinary broad-spectrum anthelmintics are completely ineffective. If the toxicity is increased, humans might die before the parasites do.
Therefore, every new alien parasite outbreak leads to research aimed at developing new, specific narrow-spectrum insecticides.
Since the spatial passage appeared twenty years ago,
hundreds of parasite outbreaks have occurred across the country. Some have killed as few as a dozen before being controlled, while others have wiped out tens of thousands to a hundred thousand people, leaving nine in ten houses empty. However, in recent years, thanks to these drugs, such outbreaks have almost become silent and rare.
Yet, this time the alien parasite is a species humanity has never discovered before.
"The most pressing issue is that according to the weather station's report, it is very likely to rain today and tomorrow," the deputy mayor continued.
The rain will not only lead to a massive proliferation of the parasites but also accelerate their spread through flowing water.
Everyone present frowned, and the atmosphere was oppressively tense.
Power has still not been restored.
Previously, whenever an alien parasite death case was discovered, investigations, lockdowns, and rapid responses followed immediately.
However, with the sluggish and outdated communication and transportation means now, by the time the discovery is made, it has already spread to a certain extent.
"I will let the Provincial Government contact the air force to disperse the coming clouds, ensuring that the surrounding area remains absolutely dry in the coming days," said the city leader solemnly.
The war on the Dongning side is still in a blockade and recuperation state. The God of Hunting has yet to appear, and numerous warplanes remain stationed in Hedong.
"We'll also need a few helicopters for emergency communication," the second city leader immediately added.
Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door.
The secretary responsible for the meeting records, seated in a corner, stood up, went to open the door, and saw the Bureau of Health and Family Planning director, who had a look of distress on his face, covered in sweat. His heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
"An outbreak has been detected in the Safe Zone!"
...
The rumbling of trucks on the highway, the hurried footsteps of the crowd, and the sound of conversations made the night especially noisy.
Chen Shouyi stood by the window, drew the curtain, and quietly watched.
Even though it was already 9 PM, a large number of workers in the villa area were still busy outside, leveling the low-lying waterlogged areas, filling them with soil, and sprinkling lime.
With news of the alien parasites spreading, many people might have a sleepless night.
"Hey Giant, why is one of my little gems missing?" said Shell Lady sitting on the bed, with a serious face.
"You're definitely counting it wrong," Chen Shouyi said casually.
Shell Lady was skeptical but began to patiently count: "One, one... one, one."
After counting for more than three minutes.
She finally stopped: "There is indeed one missing!"
"Count it again!" Chen Shouyi said.
"Hmph, this is the last time. I never count wrong," Shell Lady warned angrily and started counting patiently again.
Several minutes later.
"It is missing. I count it every day. It must be you who took it,"
"Give me back my gem!"
"Give me back my gem!"
Chen Shouyi was so annoyed by her that he closed the curtain, walked to the bed, opened a drawer, and handed her a small glass bead.
Shell Lady received it and snorted twice.
Seeing the little one's slightly disdainful expression, Chen Shouyi was so annoyed that he could grind his teeth.
He really wondered, with so many "ones," how she could remember them all.
"Bang bang bang!"
"General Manager Chen!"
Bai Xiaoling's voice came from downstairs.
Chen Shouyi quickly walked out of the bedroom, went downstairs, and opened the door. Bai Xiaoling was wearing long pants and sleeves, sweating profusely, holding two cardboard boxes.
He looked on curiously; today, it was rare for Bai Xiaoling not to wear a skirt:
"Why are you dressed like this? Isn't it hot? What's going on?"
"General Manager Chen, I came to bring you insecticides!" Bai Xiaoling handed the two boxes over.
"Is the parasite situation that severe?" Chen Shouyi asked after hearing this, taking the boxes.
Bai Xiaoling nodded solemnly: "A resident in the Shuiyue neighborhood has just had a case of parasitic infection, and it's now under military lockdown. We're not sure about the situation yet. During this time, it's best for your uncle and aunt not to go out."
Chen Shouyi felt a weight in his heart.
Unexpectedly, even the Safe Zone had a case.
"Shouyi, who is it?" Mrs. Chen's voice came from upstairs.
"Liaison Bai!" Chen Shouyi replied, then said to Bai Xiaoling, "Come in and sit for a while!"
...
In the living room.
"According to the information I have, this alien parasite is quite terrifying. It can not only enter the body through food but also burrow through the skin," Bai Xiaoling said with a slight tremor of fear. "But this information must be kept confidential. I hope Uncle, Aunt, and Xing Yue won't spread it to prevent public panic."
"Don't worry, we understand the importance. There was an outbreak here in Dongning years ago, killing over a thousand people!" Chen Dawei sighed.
"When did it happen?" Chen Xingyue asked, "How come I never heard about it."
"Back then, you were only two or three years old, and Shou Yi had just started kindergarten!" Mrs. Chen said.
Chen Shouyi had vague memories, but not very deep. At that age, he was mainly focused on playing. He only knew he was kept at home, not going to kindergarten for a whole month.
Bai Xiaoling chatted for a while and soon left.
The parents exchanged a few more worried words and went to bed quickly.
Before going to her room, Chen Xingyue quietly called Chen Shouyi.
"Brother, I moved a corpse. Do you think I'll also get parasites?" Chen Xingyue asked worriedly.
"Let me see your hand," Chen Shouyi said, startled.
Chen Xingyue immediately offered her arm.
Chen Shouyi examined her arm; it was smooth and white, without a trace of red spots. Then, with his fingertip, he quickly drew a line on her skin, leaving a faint red mark on her arm. He glanced at it and said:
"Don't worry, your skin is so thick that parasites shouldn't be able to burrow through."
"You're the thick-skinned one!" Chen Xingyue recoiled in pain, retorting.
But the worry in her heart was gone.
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