Before long, under Qu Xiaofeng's operation, the pathogen detection screen appeared in real time on the electronic monitor.

Everyone in the operating room became very solemn upon seeing the image on the electronic screen.

Because the image indeed showed amoeba, resembling a colorless jelly-like substance with a dark spot inside. Most crucially, a special pseudopod appeared at the edge of the jelly-like substance on the screen, a distinctive trait of Naegleria fowleri.

"It's Naegleria fowleri. Look, this special pseudopod is something unique to Naegleria fowleri."

Qu Xiaofeng pointed to the part of the image showing the pseudopod on the electronic screen and spoke to Zhao Heng and Liu Ziang.

With his ten-plus years of experience in pathology and pathogen detection, he was very certain that the features of this parasite were indeed unique to Naegleria fowleri.

"Confirmed."

Zhao Heng sighed and said.

Truth be told, he rather hoped that the patient was not infected by Naegleria fowleri, but now that Qu Xiaofeng had confirmed it, they could only accept this result.

"Yes, confirmed."

Liu Ziang echoed, somewhat lamentedly said. Honestly, although the result was before them, he also hoped it wasn't confirmed.

This confirmation represented a series of emergency situations about to unfold.

The patient was then sent back to the ward.

Just outside the operating room, Director Liu Shangming and Gao Jun were waiting by the door, and when they saw Zhao Heng, Liu Ziang, and Qu Xiaofeng with solemn expressions, Director Liu Shangming couldn't help but ask Qu Xiaofeng, "Xiao Qu, confirmed?"

"Yes, Director, based on the electron microscope morphology of the pathogen, it's indeed an infection with Naegleria fowleri."

Qu Xiaofeng affirmed, with over ten years of experience in pathology and pathogen detection, although Naegleria fowleri infections are very rare, he had the capability and experience to diagnose this rare parasitic infection.

Upon hearing Qu Xiaofeng's words, the director's expression remained unchanged, but his demeanor became more solemn.

Now he had to immediately report to the emergency response department in the ministry for handling this matter, as it's not just something that Eastern Hospital or the ministry alone could decide.

After all, the highly fatal Naegleria fowleri was discovered in a tourist on Jeju Island, a fact undeniable enough to show that in some body of water at the tourist hotspot Jeju Island, this deadly parasite was surviving, and who knows how many tourists had come into contact with this type of parasite.

Even if the infection rate of Naegleria fowleri was only one in several dozen, it would still mean at least several hundred or even thousands could be infected. Considering the 97% fatality rate of Naegleria fowleri infections, one couldn't help but feel head spinning.

Standing by was Gao Jun, who wasn't feeling any better.

"Xiao Zhao, Director Liu, first stabilize the patient's condition, and prepare for receiving a large number of patients."

Director Liu Shangming was no ordinary person, seasoned as he was, he quickly issued commands.

Under current circumstances, the first thing to do is to stabilize the patient's condition, then report this incident to the ministry's emergency response department. As for what happens next, it's not something Eastern Hospital or the ministry alone can decide.

"Alright."

Zhao Heng and Liu Ziang nodded in unison.

Upon exiting the operating room, the director left first, Liu Ziang also went to check literature and data, as well as contact hospitals and doctors abroad who have treated Naegleria fowleri infection patients, especially the records of the only three cured cases, which are currently the only treatment reference available.

After the director and Liu Ziang had left, Gao Jun finally spoke to Zhao Heng, "Xiao Zhao, you must hold on this time!"

Gao Jun had never encountered such a severe event since coming to work at Eastern Hospital. The thought that several hundred or even thousand people might be infected by the 97% fatal parasite made him feel like the sky was falling.

This kind of thing not only hasn't happened, but hasn't even been heard of.

Now, he placed all his hopes on Zhao Heng's shoulders. So far, there have been only 4 cases of surviving Naegleria fowleri patients, if there's a cure, it's likely a miracle.

In Gao Jun's view, Zhao Heng was the one most capable of creating miracles, it wasn't the first time he's accomplished what others couldn't.

"Professor, now that the patient has been confirmed with Naegleria fowleri, how will this matter be handled later? The first step surely is to immediately shut down Jeju Island's tourism and conduct comprehensive pathogen screening, right?"

Zhao Heng thought for a moment and said, what he spoke of is the most standardized procedure in epidemiology.

Though, whether South Korea would handle it according to the standard is uncertain.

Based on South Korea's usual approach, the handling of this matter is quite worrisome.

"What you're saying is exactly what the director and I are worried about. If on the whole island, pathogen screening was conducted at the first instance among tourists, infected patients could be identified in the shortest time, and thus treated before their illness manifests, surviving chances would then be greater."

"But if time is delayed, and diagnosis only occurs post-manifestation, the chances of survival are slim indeed."

Gao Jun said heavily.

The idea of hundreds possibly missing the opportunity for timely check and diagnosis, hence losing the best treatment window, made Gao Jun's scalp tingle.

Domestically, even the casualties of several dozen in an accident are considered major events.

"This situation should be coordinated at home, right?"

Gao Jun said so, which made Zhao Heng also realize the gravity of the situation and couldn't help but utter.

"Coordination will occur, but what it will accomplish is uncertain. Every hour of delay might mean another person losing the hope of survival due to untimely diagnosis and treatment."

Gao Jun sighed deeply in response.

This matter put enormous pressure on every side, thus he dared not hope much for the coordination and handling of this event.

"Let's hope it's handled well."

Zhao Heng said slowly.

These high-level matters he couldn't interfere in; what he could do was stabilize the condition of the currently infected patient, and from prior case treatments, find effective ways — in other words, hope for survival.

"Xiao Zhao, go ahead and get busy, I'll call you if needed. Today, you probably won't leave work on time."

Gao Jun said to Zhao Heng.

"Okay."

Zhao Heng nodded.

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