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day 4: newspaper clipping

Doctors Baffled by New Disease

Hospitals across the country are seeing the emergence of a new outbreak.

"We've never seen anything like this before," said Dr. Richards. "The patients aren't responding to any of the usual treatments."

One problem seems to be that people aren't seeking medical attention right away.

"At first, the disease resembles the flu. It isn't until the symptoms get worse that the patients come into the hospital. Maybe if they came in earlier our treatments would be more effective."

Unfortunately, so far doctors have been unable to recognize the disease in any tests. Until their symptoms become acute, it's impossible to tell whether or not a person is infected. Very few patients have been infected long enough to reach the final stages of the disease, but so far the fatality rate has been 100%.

The cause of the disease is still being investigated. Doctors are also unsure of how it is spread. Because the contagion is unknown, all patients admitted to the hospital exhibiting the symptoms are immediately put into quarantine.

"We're not trying to cause a mass panic here," Dr. Richards told us. "So far, the number of cases hasn't been alarmingly high."

He refused to speculate on whether or not this number is so low because people infected with the disease haven't yet sought medical attention.

In its early stages, the disease causes pale skin, dark circles under the eyes, and sharp abdominal pains. Later symptoms include minor bleeding from orifices, confusion, hallucinations, and violent tendencies. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to visit the nearest hospital immediately. If you see someone around you exhibiting these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately. Refrain from being in close contact with anyone who may be infected.

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