Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital

Chapter 568 - 433: Calm Before the Storm

In the realm of bioweapons, Zhao Heng was completely unfamiliar with the subject before encountering Dr. William. However, after acquiring Dr. William’s knowledge and experience, Zhao Heng’s understanding of the field reached the level of an expert.To determine whether a biological organism, whether it be a virus, bacteria, or chlamydia, fungi, is suitable to be used as a biological weapon, one must consider multiple aspects.

First and foremost is the characteristic of the organism itself. Organisms that can be used as bioweapons should have the following traits:

Firstly, they must have good adaptability in survival (those that inactivate with slight cold or heat are obviously unsuitable).

Secondly, the more diverse the transmission routes, the better, and the faster the transmission speed, the better.

Thirdly, they should have appropriate latency (difficult to detect during the latent period, which facilitates spreading to enhance lethal effects. If the latency is too short, the disease manifests before widespread diffusion, resulting in prevention and control that couldn’t achieve the expected lethal effects. Conversely, if the latency is too long, it makes them unsuitable as a weapon. Ideally, they should have high infectivity during the latent period to allow for unnoticed widespread dissemination; if only infectious during the symptomatic period, they can be easily blocked by isolation).

Fourthly, they should have a degree of mutability, but not excessively high.

Furthermore, if the target is to destroy the economy of industrial nations, the organisms used should target the main crops or livestock of the target nation. For example, if targeting corn viruses, then plant viruses need to be developed.

If the target is to eliminate the population of enemy countries, they should possess the characteristics of rapid dissemination, short to mid-term latency, easy mutability, acute onset, short disease course, and extremely high fatality rates.

Moreover, if the target is the social stability and economy of enemy countries, they should have rapid dissemination, short to mid-term latency, symptoms easily confused with one or multiple common diseases, easy mutability, acute onset (resulting in a sudden appearance of a large number of patients, occupying medical resources and social resources in large quantities), long disease course (requiring long-term treatment, consuming substantial medical resources), with a certain fatality rate but not too high (a fatality rate would induce social panic; as for why it shouldn’t be too high, think about why on the battlefield, inflicting injuries without death is sometimes deliberate; the specific example can be referenced from the directional mines on the battlefield, whose purpose is to cause wounds rather than death).

The last point, and a very important one, is that pathogenic microorganisms should appear as if they have occurred naturally and spread naturally.

"Senior, do you think there is currently a technological level capable of using Ebola, this virus, as a weapon?"

Pausing briefly, Zhao Heng asked Liu Ziang, wanting to hear Liu Ziang’s perspective. After all, Liu Ziang could be said to represent a small fraction of the top medical knowledge in the country, and by extrapolating, one could understand the views and cognizance level of the majority of medical professionals on such matters.

"It’s difficult, but not impossible. With current technology, to create a bioweapon that meets requirements, one must first find a biological organism that fulfills most of the requirements, then cultivate or modify it directionally. As of current technological levels, I think no biological laboratory or biotechnological company possesses the capability to modify viruses like Ebola."

Liu Ziang was somewhat surprised by Zhao Heng’s question but pondered slightly before responding.

"Actually, junior, technology is neutral. Bioweapons are sometimes not necessarily entirely bad; sometimes they are quite useful. For example, the rabbit plague in Australia was resolved by using bombers to distribute myxomatosis virus specifically targeting rabbits, killing billions of them at once. If done manually, the time and effort required would be unimaginable."

Pausing briefly, Liu Ziang continued slowly.

Technology itself doesn’t have inherent good or bad qualities, much like nuclear technology, which can be used to create nuclear bombs or build nuclear power plants, providing clean, efficient energy.

"Senior, do you have such extensive research on this as well?"

Zhao Heng was somewhat astonished. Liu Ziang specialized in neurosurgery and neurology, but he didn’t expect Liu Ziang to know so much about viruses and bioweapons.

"In my leisure time, I watched some documentaries. For instance, the United States had conducted experimental pox weapons, and the Old Soviet Union weaponized smallpox in actual warfare and even experimented with Marburg virus weapons, although not mass-produced. However, overall, the possibility of weaponizing viruses remains low because, as we all know, viruses are immensely delicate, much like anthrax spores, which can be placed in a small sealed bottle and buried with bleach, preserving them for as long as desired. Conversely, smallpox weapons are different, with a shelf life of only two years, requiring frequent renewals."

"Additionally, bacterial weapons are relatively straightforward and easier to produce, much like a brewery; a fermentation facility can cultivate bacteria. Viruses, however, are much more challenging. Whether the Old Soviet Union used eggs or the United States used monkey kidneys, both are exceedingly cumbersome and costly."

Liu Ziang seemed intrigued and eloquently continued.

"Senior, your knowledge is truly wide-ranging. But I feel that the viral weaponization process might be advancing beyond our imagination, given that such research is shrouded in secrecy. What we know might be information from five or even ten years ago."

Zhao Heng said slowly.

"What you said is not impossible. However, viral mutations also happen quickly; those recent days, I suspect, are variants."

Liu Ziang looked at Zhao Heng and remarked that Zhao Heng seemed a bit strange today, especially after returning from Africa; there was something different, although he couldn’t clearly articulate it.

"I hope I’m overthinking it."

Zhao Heng nodded. He also hoped that the viral infections erupting in recent days were caused by natural viral mutations.

Shortly after, the meeting began. Director Liu Shangming first introduced the situation briefly without any niceties and began assigning tasks.

Zhao Heng listened for a moment. Overall, it primarily involved strengthening the monitoring of fever patients in each department and setting up a dedicated fever outpatient clinic in the hospital, a routine practice during past virus outbreaks, recurring yet again this year.

After the meeting, the heads of the departments all left, while Director Liu Shangming kept Zhao Heng and Gao Jun.

"Xiao Zhao, it was hard on you being sent to Africa this time."

Director Liu Shangming first said to Zhao Heng.

"It’s wasn’t too tough; I wasn’t there for long before returning."

Zhao Heng replied, indifferent.

"Xiao Zhao, what do you think about the recent increase in FR patients?"

Director Liu Shangming nodded and continued to ask.

Hearing this question, Zhao Heng felt a jolt inside.

"Director, I think it’s currently very necessary to strengthen the monitoring of FR patients."

Zhao Heng thought for a moment before saying, based on the information from Dr. William, he was confident that the Ebola outbreak in Africa had significant human-induced factors.

However, as for the domestic situation, he was not certain, lacking direct evidence.

But in these matters, it’s always prudent to take precautionary measures. To err on the side of caution is never wrong, especially considering what form the virus might mutate into.

"In past years, major viral outbreaks basically occurred in this season."

Pausing, Zhao Heng supplemented.

"The current situation in Africa is not promising. Although the Ebola virus is currently confined to the Johannesburg area in South Africa, according to our epidemiological experts’ assessment, this South African Ebola outbreak might not be so simple."

Director Liu Shangming sighed and said.

Upon hearing this, both Zhao Heng and Gao Jun wore solemn expressions.