Chapter 274
Leaving the pig farm, Aria and Owen stripped off their hazmat suits and headed back.
In the car, Aria didn’t even pause to rest before urgently texting Caleb. (Caleb, we need large quantities of veterinary blood collection kits ASAP!
Caleb replied instantly, [Got it. On it right now.]
Meanwhile, after reporting the situation to his superiors, Winston sent the compiled containment plan to the other village heads–only to be met with a wave of skepticism.
The medical staff confirmed that the source of infection was humans, not poultry or livestock. They all thought Winston was talking nonsense.
After all, the outbreak started in Jamelan. If it were human–to–human transmission, those infected could still receive government–funded treatment.
But if the source was livestock or poultry, their only fate would be mass culling.
None would be spared, not the pigs, cattle, sheep, nor even the dogs and cats.
That was the quickest and most fail–safe containment measure.
Briteron’s economic lifeline was pig farming, while Greino relied on sheep husbandry
For those small–scale farmers, the loss of their livestock would be financially devastating.
Rather than accept that outcome, everyone preferred to believe it was a case of human–to–human transmission.
One village head messaged him privately. [Listen, Winston, whether the source is human or animal, it all started in Jamelan. Lost income is just one part
of it–think of all the people who took out loans to raise livestock. If this information gets out, it’s your village that’ll take the fall, not us.]
Winston understood his point, but he knew that unless the source was eliminated, this outbreak would never truly end.
Winston let out a long sigh. With no other choice, he shifted to requiring all villagers handling livestock to wear hazmat suits.
As a result, the demand for hazmat suits would only continue to soar.
Fortunately, the authorities acted swiftly, locking down the villages before the outbreak could spread further. For the time being, supplies and manpower were just barely sufficient to keep the situation under control.
The village heads all reported that they had issued orders.
Aria and Owen returned to the lab.
As soon as they entered the school–turned–lab, a clamor of voices engulfed them. The villagers rushed over upon hearing the news.
Seeing Betty back on her feet and helping out dissolved the villagers‘ doubts. They willingly stayed for treatment.
Aria slipped into her lab coat and dove straight into her work, while Owen headed off to assist elsewhere.
Hearing that many villagers had flocked to those students for help, Hannah’s face twisted in disbelief. She couldn’t help sneering, “Letting a bunch of students treat them? Those villagers must have lost their minds!”
Someone sneered, “Ms. Gibson, you’re a Mandino University graduate too. Why look down on your school mates?”
Hannah put on a righteous front. “It’s not that I’m looking down on them. They have no field experience–just book smarts. How could they treat patients properly?”
A villager shot back, “They cured Betty. You’re not seriously suggesting their equipment was faulty, are you?”
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Chapter 274
Hannah was rendered speechless. After all, her team still hadn’t managed to turn any patients negative, while other teams had.
Hannah cleared her throat and tried to sound upbeat. “Come on, guys. Don’t let a bunch of students outshine us.”
The team merely shot Hannah a brief, indifferent glance before burying themselves back in their work.
The only sounds left in the lab were the hum of equipment and the rustle of paper. Hannah
utterly ignored, humiliation burning in her chest.
Since the Giana incident, the staff at Heffner Hospital had been growing increasingly dissatisfied with Hannah.
After all, Ramon, dean of Heffner Hospital had personally come to Jamelan. Anyone showing support for Hannah would surely incur his resentment.
She must develop an inhibitor to prevent the spread of the virus as soon as possible.
At the thought of Liam coming to support her, Hannah felt a surge of determination.
As night fell, the pig farm blazed with light.
