Chapter 3 third chapter

After the collective birthday party and wedding party that night, Xue Yu stopped here for another day.The next morning, Teacher Mei invited him to the factory to visit the laboratory that he hadn't been able to enter last time.Teacher Mei took out the key to open the door and said: "Go in. This is the laboratory that Mr. Sun built for me. It can be said that it is for me alone." Xue Yu smiled and said, "Do you have the key here? Last time you told County Magistrate Jin" Maine smiled, and said frankly: "It's his fault. I don't want him to come in. It's no good for him to see the things here."

"Okay, Mr. Mei, you..." He wanted to say that you "tell lies without panting", but he thought it was impolite, so he changed it to: "Your acting skills are pretty good." He watched carefully in the laboratory.The equipment here is quite good, almost as good as the Zhengdian laboratory of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, although of course it is a few smaller in scale.The laboratory is clean and tidy, without any blemishes.The equipment is also very complete. In addition to the negative pressure workbench I saw last time, there are also transmission electron microscopes, multifunctional high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ultracentrifuges, DNA/RNA synthesizers, PCR amplification instruments, etc. equipment.There are three small bioreactors in the cubicle, which are currently working, with a slight humming sound, and the indicator lights on them are also on.Xue Yu asked:

"What's going on in here?" "It's a private research project of mine: the whitepox virus that mutated from the monkeypox virus. It's so similar to smallpox that it's indistinguishable under laboratory conditions, but it's not yet pathogenic to humans. I think you should have seen it relevant information." "Well, I've seen relevant reports. It was isolated from the kidney of an African wild monkey in 1972. Its scientific name is white herpes virus, right?" "Yes. As we all know, biological evolution is basically a random process. Generally speaking, organisms will never repeat the mutations that have already occurred. The probability is too small. But viruses are an exception. Their structures are too simple, and their mutations can be obtained by permutations and combinations. In other words, this kind of white pox, which is very similar to smallpox, may 're'mutate into a smallpox virus that can cause disease to humans in nature." She said, "The above is a theoretical speculation, As for the practice, let’s put it this way, I suspect that the conclusion that ‘white pox cannot cause disease to humans’ is not necessarily correct, and this issue is being discussed. Of course, it is more difficult, and I can’t do human experiments—except for myself.” She said laughingly.

Xue Yu couldn't help but look around the open laboratory, and said worriedly: "If your suspicion is really too dangerous." "It is dangerous. However, since this danger exists in the natural state, it is necessary to study it and make an advance measure." Xue Yu didn't speak.Teacher Mei's vision is far-sighted, but that doesn't allay his worries.The point is that "smallpox" has such a great reputation, and anyone who is involved with it can't help but feel frightened—on the other side of the earth, tens of thousands of patients in the state of Idaho in the United States are being ravaged by the disease.Maine looked back at him:

"I hope you will take over this research. How about it? You will be satisfied with the salary. The problem is that this research is biased. I can't guarantee when it will produce results. If you take over, you have to be as patient as Mr. Sun." Lonely, maybe you need to lie here for ten years in silence before you succeed. You think about it, just call me back within a month." Xue Yu thought about it, and was inclined not to agree.This research is dangerous, not to say that it should not be done, but it should be fully discussed in the scientific community and reported to relevant parties for approval, and should not be a private research.Out of politeness he did not immediately refuse, saying:

"Okay, let me think about it." Mr. Sun and his wife agreed to take a honeymoon trip, which can be regarded as some compensation for the low-key wedding.He first made arrangements for the affairs in the factory.In the evening, the newlyweds returned to the Nanyang City Orphanage, ready to say goodbye to the children, and started the journey from there.Xue Yu also followed, and he was going back to Wuhan by train from Nanyang the next day.After dinner they played with the children in the big dining room, while the TV report on the smallpox epidemic in the United States continued.Patients who were treated earlier, such as Emily, who was the first to be released by terrorists in the school, have now been lucky enough to resist and have no disease; patients who were infected earlier or treated later, the vaccine is ineffective for them, Now 43 people have turned to hemorrhagic purulent smallpox, died of lung infection, sepsis or systemic organ failure, and more than 100 people are in danger, including the hostess Elizabeth.The two culprits, as well as the deceived Chief Xisil, are dying at this moment, and it is estimated that they cannot be saved.Even though the symptoms of more people were mild, they were ravaged by the disease to a miserable state, with high fever, chills, convulsions, and rashes on the head, face, and limbs.The too horrific images on the TV have been blurred, but the hopeless and gloomy atmosphere in the ward is still clearly displayed.Xiaoxue said sadly:

"Poor patients. Those wretches deserve a thousand cuts!" Chen Ma said bitterly: "Let them both go to the eighteenth floor of hell!" Mei Xiaokai asked: "Mama Mei, didn't you say that the smallpox virus has long been extinct? Where did the smallpox they spread come from?" "There are two laboratories in the world, the Wickett Research Institute in Russia and the CDC in the United States, which still keep the smallpox virus. But these two terrorists may not have gotten it from there. It may be a wild virus obtained by chance. Virus. Although the World Health Organization has declared smallpox extinct, it cannot guarantee that it will be completely extinct in nature.”

As soon as the news broadcast was over, the children immediately shouted: It's time to watch cartoons!Mama Liu, change the channel!Children who are already in middle school usually have self-study at night, and children in elementary school have homework and cannot watch TV casually, so watching cartoons every Saturday is their greatest enjoyment. Although the other side of the earth is in disaster, they cannot interrupt it.Mama Liu switched the program to the children's channel, and several adults left the children and gathered under the grape arbor in the courtyard to chat.Xiaoxue also slipped out, and Maine asked her:

"Xiaoxue, don't you watch cartoons?" Xiaoxue pursed her lips and said, "I don't care, it's just to coax Xiao Lang." "Ha, our Xiaoxue has grown into a big girl." Mama Liu said, "I know you want to make out with Mama Mei for a while longer." Xiaoxue acquiesced in embarrassment.The weather in early autumn was already a bit chilly, Mei Yin said Xiaoxue, come here, I will hug you.Xiaoxue happily came over and lay on Mama Mei's lap, and Mama Mei wrapped her arms around her shoulders.Xiaoxue is next to her mother, feeling her warmth, smelling the "mother smell", and listening to the chattering of the adults.The content of their conversation today was relatively deep, and she couldn't understand it, but as long as she could be next to Mama Mei, she would be very happy.

After several people sat down, Xue Yuxian sighed: "It would be great if there were no viruses and germs in the world! Unfortunately, this is just a fantasy. Mr. Mei, my uncle was interviewed on CCTV 10 yesterday. Did you read it? He said he was an optimist. He believed that the progress of human medicine would eventually All pathogens will be eradicated, and future human beings will live in a disease-free Garden of Eden. This is really a typical view of strong scientism, and it is so naive and cute. The editors of Central Station 10 even broadcast such arguments without criticism. Childish enough."

Maine said peacefully: "Generally speaking, human civilization is still in its infancy, and a little unrealistic fantasy should be allowed." "Mr. Mei, although I am a student of viruses, I have no idea of ​​'where viruses come from'. Biological evolution is from simple to complex. Viruses have the simplest life structure, which is almost a transitional state between life and non-life. , but its birth must be later than that of single-celled organisms, because viruses must rely on living cells to survive. How can such a twists and turns be explained?" "There is no scientific conclusion on the source of the virus. It may have degenerated from a single-celled organism—in fact, degeneration is also a kind of evolution. For example, parasites have degenerated to only the digestive organs and reproductive organs, which is the height of the parasitic environment. Adaptation; Another possibility is that the virus escaped from the DNA of multicellular organisms, and this part of the DNA that escaped finally became an independent life. This refers to DNA viruses, and the source of RNA viruses is even more difficult to determine .” Xue Yu jokingly said: "God really has ulterior motives. Since he created exquisite humans, cheetahs, tunas, and swifts, why would he create viruses and germs to harm them? It's so insidious. It's a bit perverted." Mei Yin looked back at Mama Liu, afraid that Xue Yu's words would hurt her feelings.Sun Jingshuan also realized this, and carried Xue Yu on his elbow.Mama Liu saw it, smiled and said: "Dean Mei, don't be afraid that I won't be able to bear this sentence. In fact, I have already seen it. There is a sentence that I dare not say in front of Mama Chen. We both believe in the Lord, but we have learned something from you. After learning about the virus, I was not sure about whether there is a God in the world. If there is a God and loves his people, why did he create a virus when he created all things? He created a virus, but he didn’t understand. In the Bible, people are made to suffer so much, scientists are groping around, and only after tens of millions of people died did they discover it. How could someone like this be a heavenly father? It doesn’t make sense.” Xiaoxue giggled when she heard Mama Liu's funny words.Maine also smiled, and said peacefully: "Liu Ma, you can understand it this way: There is indeed a God, but he is not only the God of humans, but the God of all life. He does not favor humans or antelopes, nor viruses or flies. He only sets a few rules , and then let all kinds of creatures toss themselves, whoever can survive will be the winner." "That makes sense. But—it doesn't matter whether you believe in the Lord or not, anyway, he won't just come to protect us." Xue Yu laughed loudly. He really didn't expect that Mama Liu, who grew up in the Gospel Church, could be so "open-minded" and have such a clear thinking.Mei Yin also laughed, saying, Mama Liu, since you can think of this level, I won't persuade you.And said: "Actually, I am also an optimist, but my optimism is different from Uncle Xue Yu's." "What's the difference?" "The development of human civilization has been accompanied by the expansion of 'harmony' at every level. From the harmony within the family, to the harmony within the tribe, to the harmony within the nation and the country, to the harmony between the nation and the country, and finally to the harmony within the tribe Harmony among species.” She explained, “Currently, harmony among species has covered wild animals, including hostile species in early human history, such as tigers and wolves. This is not complete, and sooner or later this scope will expand to Pathogens. All creatures in the natural world are part of the biosphere, and they have citizenship in God and have the right to survive." Xiaoxue raised her head from her lap and asked suspiciously, "Including the smallpox virus? Such a vicious guy." "The virus is not consciously hostile to humans. It only cares about its own survival. If it can coexist peacefully with its host, it is in its best interest. Think about it, if the host is dead, it has no place to hide." Therefore, in general terms, the hostile relationship between pathogens and hosts will tend to be mild during evolution. This is true for cold viruses, syphilis and even smallpox viruses in history. For example, immigrants from the Old World are far more than Indian An people are more resistant to smallpox and colds. Rabies virus, Ebola virus and HIV will also go this way in the future, of course it will take a long time. If scientists can guide the trend, this process can be shortened.” She said to Xue Yu , "This is the difference between me and your uncle. I don't think human beings are powerless in the face of nature, but scientific intervention must follow the trend and not go against the trend. For example, if he wants to wipe out pathogens, he is going against the sky and is destined to fail." Xue Yu asked: "How should we 'follow the trend' to guide?" Mei Yin and her husband looked at each other with a smile, and said: "Human civilization has not yet developed to this point, and there are many ethical taboos in practice. At present, I can only talk about it." Sun Jingshuan said: "Stop this topic, you see, Xiaoxue thinks this topic is too boring, and she is about to fall asleep. Is it Xiaoxue?" Xiaoxue was indeed a little confused, but she reacted quickly, raised her head from Mama Mei's lap and said, "Who said I fell asleep? I heard everything you said." Mama Mei said, it's getting late, Xiaoxue has to go to school tomorrow, and we have to leave early tomorrow.Let's go back to the house and go to bed.Xiaoxue took her mother's hand back to the dormitory, and said good night to her mother. She heard half of the adults' conversations that night while she was half asleep and half awake.Oddly enough, ten years later, when she looks back on that evening's conversation after all her twists and turns, she does remember it clearly.Only then can she realize the deep meaning of Mama Mei's conversation. After breakfast the next day, the newlyweds started the Lifan car and were ready to go. Xiaoxue was delivered to the door, reluctant to leave.Maine took her into his arms and said: "Your Uncle Sun is usually too busy, so it's rare to have a chance to rest this time. We plan to go a few more places and come back in two or three weeks. We will come to the orphanage after we come back, okay? Xiaoxue, don't send it away. Go to school now." "No, I'm going to send you off to school. I won't be late in time." Sun Jingshuan called his wife into the car, and said goodbye to Xiaoxue, Liu Ma, Chen Ma and a group of young men.When the car reached the alley, a black Audi happened to block the way.Deputy Mayor Jin got down from the driving seat, his face so dark that he could wring out the water: "The two of you are going on a honeymoon trip? You have done a good job of keeping it secret." The two of Sun Mei hurriedly got out of the car, and explained with an embarrassing smile that the wedding was held in a low-key manner this time, and no one was notified, especially not wanting to alarm the officials.Deputy Mayor Jin said bluntly: "I'm not an official, I'm your personal friend. It's a good thing now that I heard the news of your marriage from someone else! Am I being too high-ranking?" The two were speechless for a while, and looked at each other awkwardly.They couldn't tell Xiao Jin directly about their painstaking efforts.Fortunately, Mayor Jin didn't take it too far, his face softened, and he took out 1,000 yuan: "The time is too short, and I don't even have time to prepare the red envelope. This little money can be regarded as my congratulatory gift." Mei Yin didn't dare to push any further, so she quickly accepted it, saying that I'll ask you later when we come back from our trip.Sun Jingshuan added with a smile: I will apologize to you again at the banquet.Deputy Mayor Jin snorted, saying that he had business matters that could not be delayed, reversed the car with difficulty at the entrance of the alley, waved goodbye from the car window, and then drove away in a hurry.Mei Yin and Sun Jingshuan saw him off, shaking their heads mockingly, but they didn't get into the car immediately, and looked back at the orphanage in the alley for a long time.They went out this time because they wanted to leave here for a while, not a honeymoon trip.This was arranged in the plan long ago, of course, worry is inevitable.Maine sighed softly: "Jing Shuan, I really can't bear to leave the children at this time." "Let's stick to our established plan." Her husband advised her gently. Mei Xiaoxue, who came afterward, was very moved when she heard what the two said, and her eyes were moist.Mei's mother didn't notice her, and got into the car with her husband, and the car drove away quickly. Xiaoxue watched the car disappear at the intersection of the street bewilderedly. Mei Xiaoxue fell ill ten days after Mei's mother went out.At noon, she helped the two mothers prepare dinner, and Liu Ma asked: "Xiaoxue, are you feeling unwell? I see that your tears are watering, and your eyelids are getting deeper." This is Xiaoxue's habit, as long as she gets sick, her double eyelids will become darker. Chen's mother joked that Xiaoxue is more beautiful the more sick she is.Xiaoxue smiled reluctantly, saying that she had a little headache and it was fine.She fed the calf as usual, finished the meal quickly by herself, helped the mothers clean up the dishes, and went to school.At night she started to have a fever, she held on and drank several large bowls of boiled water without disturbing the two mothers.The next morning she couldn't hold on any longer, and came back from school with her face flushed.Mama Liu touched her forehead and exclaimed, "Ah, it's so hot!"Quick, I'll take you to the clinic! The children in the orphanage all see a doctor at the Jianqiang Clinic in Xiangkou, which is run by retired Dr. Ma, who is almost 70 this year. He can take both Chinese and Western medicine, has rich experience, and charges are low.Now regular large hospitals are fully equipped. Doctors are used to relying on equipment. If you have a serious or minor illness, they will ask you to do a few checks first, and you will go out with a few hundred yuan.However, the Sacred Heart Orphanage is maintained with private funds, so it cannot afford the unjustified money.Dr. Ma knew the difficulties of the orphanage, and tried his best to use experience instead of examination.He felt Xiaoxue's pulse, took her body temperature, brushed her hair aside and looked behind her ears and hairline, and said: "It doesn't matter. The child has chickenpox. The minor problem is high temperature. I will prescribe some cimetidine and give him water for two days. Liu Ma, please watch carefully. If the temperature is too high, come to me or send him to a big hospital." "Is chickenpox contagious?" "Infection. Its pathogen is chickenpox-herpes zoster virus. After a child is infected with primary chickenpox, it will heal itself in a week. But this is not complete immunity, the virus is still latent in the body, and when he grows up There is a possibility of relapse, and after the relapse, herpes zoster, commonly known as snake egg sore or loin dragon, is a relatively annoying disease. However, after the shingles is cured, you will be completely immune." "Is it necessary to isolate?" "Should be isolated, especially group children." Mama Liu is in a difficult situation. The children in the orphanage are all dormitories, and the houses are limited, so it is not easy to isolate them.Xiaoxue stayed to get an IV drip, and Mama Liu left first.The conditions in this clinic are simple, and there is no bed for infusions. They sit on a bamboo chair.Dr. Ma is not sick at the moment, so he sits next to Xiaoxue and chats with her.He said, Xiaoxue, don't worry, chickenpox is nothing, and it won't leave scars after it is cured. Our Xiaoxue will still be as beautiful as before.He also said that your orphanage has been driving back and forth for the past two days. Is it possible that Director Mei is back?Xiaoxue was suffering from the fever, and still said politely: Yes, Dean Mei just got married, and she and Uncle Sun went on a honeymoon trip.Doctor Ma sighed and said: "That's a good person. She has been raising the orphanage with her own money for ten years. I remember that before I retired, she came to Nanyang to run an orphanage. It's not easy to raise you all the time." After finishing the drip, Xiaoxue walked back on her own.Mama Liu had already discussed with Mama Chen to let Xiaoxue live in Dean Mei's new house. Although it was a bit unlucky to use the new house as a ward, they knew Dean Mei well, so she wouldn't care. Mama Liu made sick meals for Xiaoxue, and Xiaoxue fell asleep after barely eating a bowl.Her body temperature was too high, her whole body was sore, especially her head ached and her back hurt, and her limbs were so sleepy that she had nowhere to rest.The two mothers have to take care of 32 children. Usually, Xiaoxue can be used by most of them. Now without Xiaoxue's help, they are even busier. They have no time to spend with Xiaoxue, so they can only ask every now and then.Xiaokai and Yuanyuan came to see her, and Xiaoxue didn't let them in because she was afraid of getting infected.Xiaokai said through the window that the students in Xiaoxue's class would also come to visit her in the orphanage, Xiaoxue said hurriedly: "You can't come! Chickenpox is contagious, help me persuade them." Now, she stays alone in the house, groaning with a high fever, looking drowsily at the decorations in the house: the happy words on the wall, a pot of flowers on the table (she thinks: don’t forget to help Mama Mei tomorrow! Watering), a simple bookcase, and the clothes that Mama Mei has changed are hanging on the hangers. Over the past 13 years, she has been used to the life of an orphan and almost forgot about it. Only when she was sick did she really realize what an orphan is.How much she would like to be like her classmates in middle school, who would crawl into her mother's arms when she was uncomfortable, act like a baby to her mother, and even lose her temper, while her parents would coax her in a good and tender way.She wept quietly, and her tears soaked the pillowcase. She was given water for two days, and on the third day her fever subsided a little, but more rashes appeared on her head, face and limbs, and it seemed that she also had rashes in her mouth.In addition, another six or seven little ones in the orphanage started to have a fever.Liu's mother panicked, and hurriedly led Xiaoxue to find Dr. Ma again.Dr. Ma inspected it solemnly, and Mama Liu murmured: "Ma Xianer, do you think it might be that the United States is suffering from this disease." She didn't dare to say the word "smallpox", those two words were too evil, even just talking about it would make people sick.Think about the tragedy of the epidemic area in the United States shown on TV!Doctor Ma is also wondering.Most of Xiaoxue's rashes are on the head and face, which is similar to smallpox (chickenpox is mostly on the trunk).However, the smallpox rash should be darker and heavier, and most of them are navel-shaped with a central depression, while Xiaoxue's rash is relatively shallow, and there are not many navel-shaped rashes.The symptoms of chickenpox and smallpox are relatively similar, and it is especially difficult to judge in the early stage of symptoms.Now smallpox has long been extinct. He has practiced medicine for forty years and has never had contact with smallpox patients.All the content about smallpox has been deleted from the textbooks, and doctors will not easily make such judgments.The epidemic in the United States was caused by terrorists, which is a special situation. Moreover, it was said on TV that the transmission route was effectively cut off because it was discovered early. So far, no epidemic has been found outside the United States. How could it spread to the relatively remote Nanyang City? He was shocked suddenly, remembering that Dean Mei is a Chinese-American, he hurriedly asked: "Have you, Dean Mei, been to the United States recently?" Mama Liu almost cried, she had already thought of this, but she really didn't want to say it - that would seem to put the blame on Dean Mei, she didn't want someone as good as Dean Mei to be the one who spread smallpox Prime culprit.But you can't hide it, she said with tears: "Dean Mei just came back from the United States 13 days ago, no, 14 days ago. She didn't return to Wuhan and went to the orphanage directly. But she returned to China before the smallpox attack in the United States, and according to Dean Mei, she In the United States, I have never been to a state where smallpox broke out, and I don’t seem to be sick.” Dr. Ma regretted it to death. How could he be so negligent the day before yesterday and not ask about the patient's contact history. 14 days, that is the incubation period of smallpox. "You said that Dean Mei is not sick, but that doesn't explain the problem. Some people are immune but can still become carriers." Dr. Ma said decisively without hesitation this time, "According to national regulations, if a suspected case of smallpox is found, it should Report to the CDC agency in the country within 6 hours. I will report immediately." He went to the telephone, anxiously looked for the address on the table, and muttered to himself: What is the phone number of CDC?Where do I remember it?The girl Si Yao was so shocked that she couldn't speak, she never dreamed that the evil spirit of smallpox would suddenly break into this small clinic!Although the epidemic in the United States was broadcast on TV, in her feeling, it was on the other side of the world, very far away from here.Now not only Xiaoxue, but also herself, Doctor Ma, Mama Liu, and all the children in the orphanage are under threat of death.She said timidly: "Grandpa Ma, don't look for it, call 114 and check." Dr. Ma suddenly realized: "Yes, call 114! I'm out of control." He finally got through to the CDC. Here, Mei Xiaoxue stared blankly at Mama Liu, and murmured: "What did Grandpa Ma say? God—flower?" Mama Liu couldn't bear it, and burst into tears holding Xiaoxue. Dr. Ma's phone call kicked off a national action.Xiao Xiao from the Epidemiology Department of the Municipal Sanitation and Epidemic Prevention Station (which is the same unit as the CDC) answered the call. She turned her head in surprise and widened her eyes: "Section chief, smallpox!" The chief of the section, Yang Jicun, suddenly felt his mouth go dry. He was worried that the disaster that he had been worrying about for days would really come.Since the outbreak in the United States, although the official statement is that "the transmission route has been effectively cut off", he instinctively does not believe it.Now that the transportation is so developed, the earth has become a village, especially the frequent personnel exchanges between China and the United States, how could it be possible to cut them all off.And that's the characteristic of biological warfare agent attacks: as long as one person slips through the net, your blockade will fail. Yang Jicun is 32 years old this year, with a doctoral degree, and is quite accomplished in severe infectious diseases.Because of this, his worries are deeper than others, such as Xiao Xiao who is still staring wide-eyed at the moment.Smallpox is the number one culprit of severe infectious diseases. For thousands of years, its destructive impact on human civilization cannot be compared with that of other plagues, including the three-time global pandemic and the death of tens of millions of people. Death and illness are also far behind.Traces of smallpox were found on the mummified body of Ramses II in Egypt in 1200 BC.There are records of smallpox in India in the sixth century BC.The variola virus belongs to the Poxviridae family, and it is listed as the most dangerous level 4 on the Biosafety Control Standard (BSL).In ancient times, China, Persia, and Turkey all used experience to inoculate patients with scabs or herpes liquid to prevent smallpox, but it was not safe enough. In 1796, the French Jenner invented the vaccination method of vaccinia, and the incidence of smallpox gradually decreased thereafter. The last case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in October 1977, and in May 1980 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that smallpox had been eradicated from humans.This is the greatest victory in mankind's war against pathogens, and the only "complete victory" (poliovirus has been basically wiped out, but not completely wiped out). The problem is that the price of this victory is too high.Humanity has experienced a smallpox vacuum for decades, and now the vast majority of people, including the older generation who had been vaccinated, have lost their specific immunity to smallpox.Due to historical reasons, the Han nationality has a stronger resistance to smallpox, for example, it is stronger than the Manchu people outside the customs.After the Manchus entered the Central Plains, what they were most afraid of was smallpox, and there was a special official position of "chaping Zhangjing", which shows how much they valued it.Emperor Kangxi was chosen as the prince because he had smallpox when he was young and had resistance, and he became a generation of Mingjun.However, after the man-made smallpox vacuum, the specific immunity of the Han people also disappeared, returning to the zero line.Now the evil spirit of smallpox has descended on the Chinese mainland again, but China’s epidemic prevention system is far less effective than that of the United States, especially the stock of vaccinia is limited—China didn’t even store it before. After the outbreak of smallpox in the United States, it urgently purchased one million vaccinia in Europe Vaccines - It's hard to deal with a big smallpox outbreak.However, the treatment of smallpox does not have any effective means other than the vaccine, and if the vaccine is not vaccinated in time within 4-6 days after the smallpox infection, it will be difficult to succeed in replanting.The government has attached great importance to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in recent years. For example, the identification of AIDS can be done without leaving Nanyang. The problem is that this emphasis does not include smallpox!Smallpox is "already" extinct! What a disaster.Ge Hong in the Jin Dynasty recorded in "Elbow Reserve Emergency Prescriptions" that smallpox "was obtained from the capture of captives in Nanyang in Jianwuzhong, and it is Hulu sore".The Jianwu mentioned in the book is generally considered to be the Jianwu year of Emperor Yuan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, that is, 317 AD.Nanyang was once the birthplace of smallpox in China 1,700 years ago. Does history have to repeat itself? He hurried over and took the phone from Xiao Xiao.Fortunately, he had already reviewed the diagnostic knowledge about smallpox in advance, so he was more confident.There is no smallpox chapter in the new textbook. He only found it in a 1979 edition of "Epidemiology" edited by Geng Guanyi.He heard from Dr. Ma that the symptoms were indeed similar to those of smallpox.he asks: "Have you pricked with a needle? Whether the rash collapses after being pricked is also an important difference between chickenpox and smallpox." The other side said embarrassingly: "Oh, I forgot this one, I will try it now." After a while on the phone, he said, "The rash does not collapse after acupuncture, it is smallpox!" "Understood. Control the patients and avoid contact with the outside world. I will immediately send someone to take a sample of the virus for laboratory confirmation." Yang Jicun asked about the source of the disease in detail, and while listening, he mentally sketched out the blocked areas of the epidemic area.Well, the orphanage is a relatively closed area.The problem is that some of the orphans go to school outside, involving an elementary school and a middle school, involving the patient's classmates, teachers, and all relatives. The scope is much larger, and it is estimated that the entire urban area will be blocked.It's okay to say, what's more frightening is that the original carrier who came back from the United States, Maine, is on a honeymoon trip with her husband and left ten days ago.God, how many places must they have traveled in the ten day journey?How many people do you contact?How many more people do you want to contact? Yang Jicun tried his best to keep calm, but this kind of prospect was really too scary, he couldn't help the blackness in front of his eyes.After hanging up the phone, he immediately reported to Station Manager Lin and Secretary Chen, and then he took Xiao Xiao and set off to collect virus samples himself.Stationmaster Lin discussed with Secretary Chen and decided to call Deputy Mayor Jin who is in charge of culture, education and health first.The call got through, and the station manager Lin hurriedly reported the epidemic situation, saying: "The epidemic has just been reported and has not been officially confirmed. I just want to give you a briefing. Considering that you have just taken office, you may not be familiar with the situation. Since the outbreak of smallpox in the United States, the epidemic prevention station has already prepared emergency plans. Although Difficult, but manageable. The biggest problem is the original carrier who is on the honeymoon." Over there smiled bitterly and said: "I know that Maine, she is a famous virologist herself. Have you contacted her? Hurry up and get the two of them under control." "Okay, let's get in touch right away." Deputy Mayor Jin changed his mind: "Forget it, I'll contact her directly, I have her mobile phone number." Deputy Mayor Jin hung up the phone and pondered for a moment with a gloomy face.Fate is really kind to him, just after taking the position of deputy mayor, such a big burden has been crushed in vain.The burden was too heavy and threatened to overwhelm him.However, due to the responsibility, no matter how heavy he is, he can only insist on it.He suddenly remembered that a month ago, before he left Xinye County, he had specially visited Maine's factory. At that time, he was worried about any secrets in the factory that would affect his official career.Maybe he predicted today's disaster with his sixth sense?You see, although his worries at the time were not fulfilled, the cause of the disaster still lies with Maine. Time was running out and he was not allowed to think about these things, so he immediately called Maine.The phone was connected, and there was a whirring noise over there.Listen to Maine laughing and saying: "Xiao Jin? What's the matter? - Hey, Jing Shuan, close the window, the wind is too loud." The phone became much quieter. "Xiaojin, are you in a hurry to drink the wedding wine? Don't worry, we won't forget. We are rushing back from Jiuzhaigou, and we can arrive in two days at most. The plateau scenery here is so beautiful! It is majestic and desolate, and right now we are in the vast sea of ​​clouds On top of that, Xiao Jin, if you have something to say, the phone is running out of battery, and we both forgot the charger in the hotel a few days ago." Her voice is very cheerful, and it seems that love has made her young.Listening to the cheerful voice on the phone, Jin Mingcheng was almost unbearable—the contrast was too strong, with catastrophe on the one hand and joy overflowing on the other, especially when you think about it, she just laughed and spilled the virus all the way.Jin Mingcheng quickly shook his head to shake off this thought.Maine shouldn't be blamed, because she didn't know.He briefly described the situation here, and the other side exclaimed: "Smallpox? Impossible. When I left the United States, the epidemic hadn't broken out yet, and I was with my adoptive father all the time, and basically had no contact with the outside world. Ah, my God" There was silence on the phone for a few seconds, and she and her husband whispered something in a low voice.When she spoke again, Maine had already recovered her usual calmness and rigor.She said methodically: "Now that I think about it, I may indeed be a carrier. I only had one social event in the United States, and I participated in a free forum. At the meeting, a man named Zia Baz gave a bloody speech, He also revealed that three of his Indian friends were on a "remembrance trip". It was with these clues that I predicted the biological attack to the US Department of Homeland Security. Now it seems that my early warning was incomplete. Ya Baz moved not only his mouth, but his hands at the forum—distributing the smallpox virus to the attendees." Jin Mingcheng's heart sank all of a sudden.After hearing this passage, he no longer had any doubts about the disaster. "Oh, that's right." "Xiaojin, let's drive the starry night back." Jin Mingcheng pondered: "Would it be better to rush to a nearby big city and stay in the isolation ward of the hospital? I'm worried about your journey" "You don't have to worry. From now on, we will close the doors and windows of the car, don't contact anyone, and drive directly back to the blockade area. This is safer than parking in a certain city. As for the people we have already contacted when we came," the phone paused for a while , said in a muffled voice, "I can only pray to God." Jin Mingcheng thought for a moment, and thought that this method was indeed safer: "Okay, that's it, you guys hurry back as soon as possible, but pay attention to safety. Be careful! Be careful! Don't think I'm a crow's mouth. If there is a car accident, come back again!" Rescue in a big scene, the spread is too big." "Be sure to pay attention, the two of us take turns driving." "If it is confirmed that it is smallpox here, the affected area will be immediately declared closed." "We will drive directly into the blockade when we come back and live there until the epidemic is over. The children need me. Don't worry about us. We have not fallen ill so far, which means we are resistant to smallpox." "After you come back, Mr. Sun also lives in the blockade?" "It can only be like this. We have been together for so long, he must also be a carrier. It doesn't matter, he can direct the company's affairs on the phone." "Well, thank you for the boys." The other side said lonely: "Thank you, as long as" she didn't finish the sentence. After hanging up the phone, Jin Mingcheng ordered the secretary to block all calls and visits. He should calm down and think about the emergency plan that will be launched soon.The epidemic control in this city is relatively easy to handle. The most worrying thing is that the ten-day trip of the Mei Yin couple has pulled the epidemic from a "point" to a "line". I hope it will not expand into a "surface"!However, despite the dire situation, he was confident.After all, China had passed the test of "SARS" a few years ago, and the initial stage of the epidemic was more chaotic than it is now.忽然他想到一个问题：梅茵夫妇说他们回程中将不和任何人接触，但他们总得过收费站和加油吧，至少得往外递钞票吧，那也足以造成传染了。他得赶紧警告一下梅茵夫妇，想一个妥善的办法。他把电话打过去，那边一直接不通，只有总机甜美的声音：对不起，对方手机已经关机。他们当然不会在这个时刻关机的，那就是他们的手机已经没电了。这会儿金副市长最窝心的是，当时奖给梅茵的力帆车，为什么不配置车上电话呢。 办法还是有的，可以让沿路的收费站代为通知，不过这方法只能等到公开宣布疫情后才能实行。现在，就等防疫站小杨他们的结果了。 杨纪村从第一个病人梅小雪身上取来了疱疹内积液，刮取了疱疹底部上皮细胞，从她喉咙取了拭样，也抽了血。他回到CDC的实验室，把疱疹液涂片和疱疹基底组织压印片用巴兴法染色，在油浸镜下观察。他屏住唿吸，慢慢转动镜头，现在病毒颗粒清楚地聚焦出来，是砖型病毒，而不是水痘病毒的20面体。病毒排列成链状，成双或成堆。这是天花病毒的典型形态。 当然最好还要做病毒培养，作血清学试验和荧光抗体试验。但前者费时较长，需要四天以上；后者需要高价免疫血清或荧光抗体，南阳CDC没有存货。他准备把样本直接送到国家CDC去做，但在这之前要首先通知金市长。按照疫病应急反应条例，只要临床诊断高度怀疑为甲类传染病（天花已经从甲类传染病中删除，但那只是因为天花已经灭绝），就可启动应急机制，何况现在已经有了镜检结果。 他立即拨通金市长的电话。金市长此刻在市政府三楼会议室里，屋里坐着卫生检疫部门、动物检疫部门、交通局、公安局、民政局、全市民兵指挥部、各大医院等等各路人马。一句话，凡是与疫病应急机制有关的、在他管辖范围内的单位，他都召集来了，只有武警部队不在他的管辖范围，他没有通知。会议已经开了三个小时，会上他宣布南阳发现某种甲类传染病，可能是鼠疫、炭疽、霍乱或天花，今天要议决如何动员。他的神态非常严肃，所以，尽管大家都知道这是一场实战演习，仍然非常认真地讨论着，最后形成了一致意见。 该讨论的都讨论完了，但金市长仍不宣布散会，让大家在原地休息一会儿。老烟枪们早已打熬不住，这会儿忙抽出烟卷，互相礼让着，一会儿屋里就烟雾腾腾。中心医院的何院长对旁边的交通局郭局长说：咱们这个新市长有表演天才，你看你把脸板了三四个小时，就像真有疫情似的！郭局长笑道：真有疫情早该让咱们出发啦，还能在这儿有紧没慢地闲磕牙！还有，真有疫情，防疫站的站长能不来？该是他唱主角的。会场上只有卫生防疫站的书记知道内情——站长正在实验室里和小杨一块儿做实验呢。但金市长事先交待过，在没有确定疫情之前先不要透露，他笑着，一言不发，只是时不时和金市长交换一个意味深长的目光。 时间已经超过12点，市政府的工作人员都下班了，听见走廊里连续不断的脚步声和说话声。金市长仍板着脸不说散会，大伙儿开始纳闷，哜嘈声慢慢静下来，都把目光盯着主持人。金市长表面镇静，心里很焦灼。他是在等小杨的电话，如果是好消息，他会哈哈一笑，对大家说：今天是演习，谢谢大家的配合，散会，回家！这样不致于造成社会不必要的的动荡。如果是坏消息，当然要立即实施刚才议决的内容，这样可以最大限度地节约时间。终于，手机响了，他立即走出会议室，摁下通话键。听了小杨的汇报，他返回会场，苦笑着说： “大家肯定在想，今天只不过是场演习，我也很希望是这样。可惜不是的。卫生防疫站，或者说疾病预防及控制中心已经确定，南阳发生了天花疫情，疫源地是市区一家孤儿院，病毒有可能是孤儿院梅院长从美国返回时带来的。” 会场里静得糁人，有人轻咳一声，马上捂住嘴。金市长与卫生防疫站的书记交换一下目光，平静地宣布： “从现在开始启动疫病应急机制，就按刚才会上议决的内容，分头行动吧。只用再加上武警，他们也要配合咱们的行动。” 梅茵夫妇还没有到家，电话仍打不通，不过他们的行程已经在指挥部的掌握之中。这要感谢遍布全国的收费站。指挥部已经通过国务院，向各地的收费站和加油站发了紧急通知：如果发现车号为豫R-C5360的黑色力帆车，立即免费放行和免费加油，并向南阳市疫情指挥部通报。通知发出后不久就有消息传来，说昨天就发现了这样一辆车，在通过四川某收费站时不开侧窗，车窗上的遮阳膜被撕掉，里面的人举着一张从笔记本上撕下来的纸，纸上有六个用钢笔描粗的大字：“急性传染病人”。收费姑娘的第一个反应是：车内人是想逃费，这可是她收费以来见过的最新鲜的歪招了。但看两个乘客风度翩翩，表情焦急，而且把昂贵的遮阳膜都撕掉了，不像是为了省几个过路费吧。收费员犹豫一会儿，觉得宁可信其有，少收十元钱是小事，别为此染上什么急病，便对他们放了行。 听到这个消息，金明诚不由莞尔一笑：梅茵他们有足够的急智，可以放心的。之后就一切顺利了，沿途的收费站和加油站不断送来报告，从这些报告上可以看出，那辆车正快速向南阳开来，此刻已经到了离南阳100公里的襄樊市，一个钟头后就要到了。金明诚急切地盼他们回来，一是回来后就能对有关情况作深入了解，再者，梅茵是一流的病毒学家，有她回来，心中更踏实一些。还有一点也不可忽视：梅茵若能回到孤儿院，对安定孩子们的情绪肯定大有好处，他知道梅茵在孩子们心中的威望。 金副市长那时不知道，此刻还有一个人也正加速向南阳市赶来，他的到来将掀起一场更大的波涛。 疫情发现后第二天下午七点钟，天色已黑的时候，梅茵夫妇赶回南阳市。城区已经封锁，警车横在路口，警灯不停地闪烁着，戴着口罩的警察在拦截过外来车辆，请他们无条件返回。两排手执武器的武警警惕地守在两旁。梅茵把车停下，降下车窗，一个警察早已看清了车号，走上前行个礼，把一个对讲机塞到车窗里，然后挥手放行。梅茵一手开车，一手摁下对讲键： “喂，是金市长吗？我们已经到达城区，正往孤儿院开。Over。” “我是小金。一路还顺利吧。完毕。” “顺利。我们同外界没有任何接触，吃的是干粮，收费站一路绿灯。完毕。” “你们的身体？完毕。” “没有任何发病的迹象。疫区内的情况？完毕。” “相对乐观。重病人只有两人，其中一个是孤儿院的梅小雪。疑似病人有一千多个，但症状相当轻。防疫站的专家们对此相当纳闷。完毕。” “梅小雪她算了，我们马上就到孤儿院了。完毕。” 汽车开到第二层封锁线，这儿比外围封锁线更严，空气中弥漫着浓重的石炭酸味儿，警卫们都穿着白色臃肿的棉防护服，戴着面罩，像一伙儿太空人。路上清冷寂寥，没有一个行人，如果没有闪烁的警灯和姿态僵硬的警卫，这儿就像一座死城。警卫们看到了这辆车，老远就做出放行的手势。力帆车直接开进孤儿院，两个太空人已经守在那里，手里托着两套防护服，显然是为他俩准备的。梅茵开门出来，笑着摆摆手： “谢谢，我们俩用不着，要传染早该染上了。” 太空人之一是防疫站的周医生，他在面具后瓮声瓮气地坚持：“至少得戴上口罩。” “不，口罩也用不上，真的不用。” 孙景栓从另一侧车门出来，也温和地摆手拒绝：“确实用不着，我们有抵抗力。领我们看看病人吧。” 周医生领他们过去，一边介绍说，孤儿院的34个人中有14人未发病，确认后已经疏散出去，现余20人都处于出疹期，但病状相对较轻，这点让人纳闷，因为——恐怖分子在美国撒播的可是天花的强毒株啊。 梅茵对他的话未置可否。他们进了孩子们的集体宿舍，刘妈与十六个女孩住在这屋，陈妈和几个男孩在另一间屋里。显然没人预先通报梅茵的到来，梅茵一进屋，屋里人都愣了，几秒钟后她们才反应过来，屋里腾起一片声浪： “梅院长！梅妈妈！梅妈妈回来啦！” 孩子们向她扑过来。刘妈着急地喊：别过来！梅院长你先穿上防护服！但已经来不及了，梅茵笑着摆摆手，把孩子们揽到怀里，孙景栓也笑着抱起两个小女孩，亲亲她们的脸蛋。梅茵检查了她们的病情，头面部都有疹子，但较浅较稀。出疹期本来就会暂时退烧，所以她们的精神都很好。孩子们叽叽喳喳闹个不停，都想挤到前边，挤到梅茵的怀里，让梅妈妈的手摸摸自己的脸蛋。梅茵眼中含着泪光，不停地说： “你们都好，我就放心了。你们很快会痊愈的，别怕。在你们痊愈前，梅妈妈会留在这儿一直陪你们，好吗？” 孩子们一片欢唿。 他俩又去另一间屋里看了男孩子们，梅茵对两位妈妈说：“你们辛苦了。” “我们辛苦点算啥，只是苦了孩子们，尤其是小雪。” “她在那儿？我去看她。” 刘妈领她俩到那间新房。没有旁人时，刘妈小心地问：“梅院长，病毒真是你从美国带回来的？” 梅茵扭头看看她，平和地说：“很可能是的，我在美国虽然未到疫区，但在一次会上接触过一个人，后来才知道他是这次恐怖袭击的策划者。也许他在会上” 她没有说下去。刘妈叹口气，不再问了。虽然梅院长只是无心之失，但无论如何，只要想起是她把病毒带到孤儿院的，刘妈心里就难过。 独自隔离的小雪已经听到了那边的欢唿声，看到梅妈妈在向这边走来，早就急不可待了。护理她的护士守在门口，婉言劝她在屋里等，不要出来。这会儿她喊起来： “梅妈妈，梅妈妈！孙叔叔！” 两人加快步伐过来，把小雪紧紧揽在怀里。小雪把头深深埋在妈妈怀里，等她抬起头时泪流满面，泪水把梅茵的胸前都弄湿了。她的病状确实很重，头面及四肢远端都长满了红疹，有些已经开始转为疱疹，这会儿体温不算高，但前一阶段的高烧已经把她蹂躏得很惨了，面色苍白，走路发飘，目光有点迷离，说话时中气不足。梅茵紧紧贴着她的脸蛋，声音哽咽： “小雪你受苦了。别担心，你一定会痊愈的。这些天梅妈妈会一直陪着你。” 梅小雪的眼睛立即放出光芒！这些年她一直有个隐秘的愿望，羞于对别人讲的，那就是和梅妈妈睡到一张床上，挨着妈妈的乳房，甚至用手摸一摸。对于一个13岁的女孩来说，这个愿望未免太孩子气了，问题是——她的孩提时代从未享受过这样的幸福啊。如果这场病能换来这样的幸福，那她就非常值了。她怯怯地问： “梅妈妈，你晚上会住到这儿吗？” “会的，我会一直陪你睡到这儿。” “呀，不行，会传染的！”她忽然想起这一点，赶紧离开梅茵的怀抱，着急地说，“梅妈妈你为啥不穿防护服？会传染的！” 梅茵笑了，把她重新揽回怀中：“不要紧的，妈妈有抵抗力。真的，不骗你。” 小雪放心了，注意到了久被冷落的孙叔叔，歪着头想了想，体贴地说：“梅妈妈你白天陪我们就行了，晚上还是和孙叔叔住到一块儿吧。” 孙景栓刮了刮她的小鼻头：“小机灵鬼，就你心眼多。让梅妈妈陪你吧，我还要陪梅小凯那几个男孩呢。” 到这时小雪才相信，那个久已企盼的幸福真要降临了，于是迷离的目光焕发出光彩。 晚上梅茵搂着小雪睡，小雪老用脸蛋蹭妈妈的胸脯。梅茵体会到她隐秘的心愿，有些心酸，干脆脱了乳罩，把小雪的两只小手按到自己的乳房上。小雪幸福得醉了，脸挨着，手摸着，沉默了很长时间，忽然抬头问： “梅妈妈，我想问你一件事，行吗？” “问吧。尽管问。” 小雪鼓足勇气问：“梅妈妈，你是不是我的亲妈？” 梅茵顿了一下：“你就把我当成你的亲生母亲，好不好？” 这个回答没能让小雪满意，她失落地轻吁一口气。梅茵又一次感到心酸，把孩子搂紧，暗暗为她担心。小雪的症状很典型，现在出的是红疹，很快她的体温就会回升，红疹变为脐形疱疹；此后体温会继续升高，疱疹变为脓疱疹，甚至出现危险的脓毒血症。虽然她已经注射了疫苗，但时间太晚，疫苗已经不大起作用了，以后只能靠她本人的抵抗力，靠造化之神赐予每个生物的免疫力。死亡的可能性倒不大，但麻脸是肯定逃不脱的。当然现在有足以乱真的美容手术，对麻脸疤痕可用特殊的快速磨头磨面修整，效果不错，但毕竟不是原璧了。这会儿小雪安心地钻在她的怀里，钻到母爱的羽翼之下，她还没有意识到以后的灾难啊，可怜的小雪。 她对小雪充满了歉疚。就在这一刻她做出了一个重要的私人决定，她把小雪的脸扳过来，看着她的眼睛说： “小雪，我有一个计划。等你病好，我就办理领养手续，把你接到我家中，做我和你孙叔叔的女儿。你同意吗？” 小雪惊呆了，不相信幸福会这样毫无预兆地突然降临：“真——的？” “当然。梅妈妈会骗你吗？我还没和你孙叔叔商量，但他肯定会同意的。” 小雪仍愣了很久，突然双手攀住梅茵的脖子，泪水汹涌奔流。她的泪水过于凶猛，梅茵一时也被吓住了。她贴着小雪的脸蛋说： “别哭，小雪别哭。啊我知道了，小雪这么伤心，肯定是不乐意当我的女儿，那我就收回刚才的话，你看行不？” 小雪被逗得带着泪水笑了，低声喊：“妈妈。妈妈。” 她已经把称唿改了。梅茵欣喜地抚着她的背，喃喃地说：“乖女儿啊，你是天下最漂亮的女儿，最可爱的女儿。” 她们絮絮地说了很久，小雪搂着妈妈，带着泪水和笑容进入梦乡。 这会儿是晚上十一点，薛愈晚饭后乘一辆出租车从武汉出发，此刻刚刚赶到南阳。新闻联播已经播放了这儿是疫区，人们对非典还记忆犹新，哪个司机敢往疫区跑？薛愈好容易用高价和恳求打动了一个司机，但说好不进封锁区，在封锁线上撂下乘客就走，司机才答应了。电视上说，中国这次天花爆发，源于一位回美国探亲的旅行者，梅茵，是她从美国带回的病毒，但薛愈从听到这个新闻的第一刻起，心中就扎着某种尖锐的担心。他必须把自己的担心告诉梅老师，否则，如果他的担心属实——真正的疫源并非美国，而是在孙总的工厂里，那目前的所有防范措施都会失效。他发疯一样打梅老师手机，一直联系不上，连孙总的手机也打不通。但他的担心又不想直接捅给官方，无疑那会给梅老师带来很大麻烦的。无奈之下，他立即租车往南阳赶，他估计，蜜月旅行的梅老师此刻肯定也从电视上得知了这个消息，一定在加速赶回南阳。 出租车在封锁线外停下，放下薛愈，司机一分钟也不多停，立即拨马而回。薛愈问了警卫，知道梅老师确实已经回到本市，一下子放心了。他要求进去见面，警卫训斥道： “你不想活了？不看这是什么时候，还愣往疫区里闯。” 薛愈说我确实有急事啊，你不让我进去，给我梅老师的电话号码也行。警卫说他们也不知道，爱莫能助。薛愈火了： “我真有急事，与扑灭疫情有关，十万火急！你们不让我进，以后出了问题谁负责？” 警卫看他说得硬气，便打电话向总指挥请示，然后他开来一辆警车，说： "Go, I'll take you there." 警卫没带他去见梅老师，带到疫区封锁总指挥这儿了。现场指挥部设在梅小雪所在的中学，离孤儿院不远。这会儿正在一个大教室里开会，与会的有国家CDC的张副主任，这是中国最年轻的司级干部之一，精明强干，官场中普遍看好他的发展，说他最多三年之内就会当上副总理；有WHO派来的专家、日本人松本义良，是一个态度谦恭的老人；有南阳市委齐书记和唐市长；会议由主管文教卫生的副市长金明诚主持；还有一大群中外记者，中国的不说，国外的有CNN、共同社、路透社、俄通社、安莎社、埃菲社、香港凤凰、台北中央社比正式与会人员还多，齐齐地坐满了后排。由于是内部会议，不安排同声翻译，所以各通讯社都派了懂汉语的精兵强将来，个别不懂汉语的人只有求助于懂汉语的同行了。 让外国记者同步报道疫情，是张主任决定的，并经中央批准。中国在非典初期因地方瞒报，既干扰了疫情的扑灭，又为国际舆论所诟病。张主任说，这回决不允许再出现这样害人害己的蠢事了。 这会儿市CDC的杨纪村科长在汇报疫情。总的说情况很好，超出流行病专家的预料。南阳市目前确诊天花患者为343人，疑似病人1345人。但病情普遍较轻，症状类似变型天花或小天花，但中国并不属于小天花流行区（杨纪村向大家解释：小天花又称类天花，曾在南美一些国家流行。它的病状较轻，死亡率为1%。是天花病毒一种稳定变种，与天花有交叉免疫，用实验室方法不易区别，有人用二者在鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜上生长所需要的温度来区分）。从美国疫情来看，那儿显然是正型天花。所以，如果承认这儿的天花是梅院长从美国带来，这点矛盾就无法解释。疫区内只有两个重病人有生命危险，即孤儿院的梅小雪和最先报告疫情的马医生。前者是因为发病最早，后者是因为年纪大，体质弱，他早年种过牛痘，但只种过一次，没有复种，所以特异免疫力已经消失了。此前国家CDC最担心的局面，是天花沿梅茵他们蜜月旅行的路线扩散，所以让梅茵提供了详细的行程记录，沿这条线严密监视，并确实发现了数十名疑似病例，但病情同样较轻。天花主要是靠飞沫传染，由于梅茵他们行程匆匆，没有在某一地方过多停留，即使播撒了病毒也会很快被稀释，所以传染强度并不大。从目前情况看，疫病的扩散势头已经被有效遏止。 按会议安排，杨科长汇报完，将安排记者提问时间。这时一名工作人员找到金明诚，附耳低言一会儿，金明诚对旁边的唐市长说：“代我主持一会儿，有一个武汉病毒所的年轻专家远道赶来，说有紧急情况。”然后匆匆离开会场。他的离开在后排记者中引起一阵骚动，这些记者都是些超级人精，眼光锐利如刀，是不会放过任何蛛丝马迹的。 金明诚来到会场外，同薛愈握手，说： “有什么紧急情况？” 薛愈为难地说：“只是我的怀疑，我想先同梅老师交换一下意见。” 金明诚沉下脸：“你要说的事是否同疫情有关？如果无关，请你回武汉去，这儿无暇接待你。” “当然