A-029 The Rock Disease

CACG Item File
Item A-029 is a previously unknown strain of anomalous archaea designated as A. Eralith. Upon infecting a mammal A-029 will undergo an incubation period, hijacking the host's metabolic functions, as well giving the host an urge to eat small rocks and raw metals. Within one week of infection, the host will go into a form of hibernation, halting all metabolic functions and redirecting the body's energy towards growing deposits of an anomalous calcium alloy (seemingly generated using the minerals and metals consumed during the incubation period. These deposits will eventually cover the host's entire body in what can only be described as "plates" of both bone and metal mixed together. These plates eventually render the host immobile, even if they are forcibly awoken from their disease-induced hibernation state.

At the end of its life cycle, A-029 will "hitch a ride" on the air leaving the host's lungs, spreading the disease in the only known infectious stage of the disease. A-029 infections are considered untreatable following the growth of the bone metal "plates," but otherwise curable given prompt action as soon as a diagnosis is given. All staff interacting with A-029 infected patients are to wear Grade II organic filter respirators when in contact with the patients, and they are to undergo an ANBC (Anomalous, Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) decontamination shower after all interactions with the infected. Should any staff or civilians be confirmed infected with A-029, they are to be immediately quarantined and treated in an on-site medical isolation ward. Following treatment, civilian patients will be administered a Grade I AID before being reinserted into the outside world.

As samples of A-029 are highly infectious, they are to be stored in Geo-7's Vitae Biochemical Sector under heavy security measures. A-029 is to be kept suspended in five reinforced alloy storage canisters in concentrated levels, and the enclosure is to remain at negative air pressure at all times. These canisters are to be fitted with proper input and output valves for testing equipment. No fewer than three guards with full-body ANBC rated gear are to be posted outside of the enclosure. Only personnel with authorization from both the current Medical Department Director as well as site Administration are to be allowed access to A-029's enclosure. Posted guards are instructed to verify all personnel interacting with A-029 are wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) before allowing access to the enclosure.