Frenzy Virus

The Frenzy Virus is an infectious disease caused by the dander-like wing scales and breath attacks of Gore Magala and Shagaru Magala.



Signs and Symptoms
In large monsters, the Frenzy Virus causes a notable discolouration of the skin, fur, feathers, or hide, resulting in a dark purple hue all over the body. In addition, the monster's eyes will become a bright red and it will begin to huff a dark purple smoke from its mouth as it exhales. As its name suggests, the Frenzy Virus causes massively heightened aggression, speed, and strength in monsters, making them dangerously short-tempered and ferocious. The Frenzy Virus also seems to affect a monster's vocal cords, rendering all vocalizations shrill and harsh in sound.

In humans, the Frenzy Virus's effects are significantly different. Once infected, a person will experience a nullification of their natural healing abilities, making it impossible to recover health without the aid of healing items.

Transmission
The Frenzy Virus originates as a bodily function of the Gore Magala and Shagaru Magala monsters. In Gore Magala, the virus is bound to the dander-like scales that cover its wing membranes. When spread, the scales scatter through the air and can be detected by Gore Magala's sensory organs to percieve the environment as a way to compensate for the monster's blindness. However, these tiny scales can be inhaled by other creatures and bring the virus along with them, resulting in an infection. Both Gore Magala and Shagaru Magala possess a breath attack which is loaded with the Frenzy Virus, as a means of spreading the virus offensively.

Once infected, monsters can further transmit the virus to other monsters through bites, scratches, and breath attacks. The virus requires an incubation period before the onset of symptoms which varies from minutes to hours, depending on the nature of the infected creature.

Treatment
The Frenzy Virus has no known cure, and its effects can only be waited out or temporarily diminished. In monsters, the use of a Wystone can halt the effects of the virus for several minutes. In humans, the onset of the virus can be fought off through physical activity, and the incubation period can be prolonged through the consumption of a Nulberry.

Prognosis
In humans, the virus is not known to be fatal, despite its harmful effects. Once the infection has begun, its effects generally last for several minutes before vanishing. Most monsters which are infected by the Frenzy Virus die of its effects within a matter of days if they are not killed by hunters first. However, certain individuals have been known to overcome the effects of the virus and weaponize it for their own use. This is known as the Apex status, and the presence of such an individual can disrupt entire ecosystems.