Letumosis (Leh-Too-Mo-Sis) is a bacterial disease in The Lunar Chronicles that has killed millions of Earthens, but very few Lunars, as most of them are immune. Letumosis is also known as the Blue Fever or simply "the plague." The only known cure requires the blood of Lunar shells, using their platelets.
History[]
Letumosis was created on Luna, but Lunars were immune to the disease, until mutations later on. As per Queen Channary's policy of killing shells, many refugees have illegally immigrated to Earth, unknowingly carrying the disease with them with the first documented case in May 114 T.E. in the African Union. Queen Channary took the court’s suggestion of weakening Earth with disease. Every Earthen who becomes infected is sent to a quarantine zone, where they are left to die. Only the infected and androids are permitted to enter. There are four stages of letumosis, each attacking the immune system at an alarming rate. After Channary's death, her sister, Queen Levana, brought letumosis to Earth with the intention of weakening them and forcing the citizens of Earth to become Luna's slaves.
Stages[]
- The first stage of letumosis is an incubation period. Nothing appears abnormal.
- The second stage of letumosis is visible: Large, boil-like patches in shades of blue appear on the skin - the tell-tale sign of letumosis. The patches are red, rimmed with a bruise-like splotch of bluish purple.
- In the third stage, the patient becomes very weak. They can barely speak or even lift up their head, with the occasional bloody cough. The color of the patches becomes lighter and slightly red. The patient begins to perspire and feel warm with severe sweating.
- The fourth and final stage of letumosis marks the final day of the patient. Their skin becomes yellow and pasty, nails crusty and chipped. Fingertips become tinged with blue, from lack of blood & oxygen. The now lavender-colored patches nearly envelop the patient's body. This stage is said to be the fastest, leading to the patient's death.
Known Victims[]
- Emperor Rikan (deceased)
- Kaito's Mother (deceased)
- Linh Peony (deceased)
- Linh Garan (deceased)
- Chang Sunto (cured by Cinder)
- Chang Sacha (deceased)
- The Morel Family (deceased)
- Dmitri Erland (mutated form made by humans, otherwise known as Lunar, deceased)
- Princess Winter Blackburn-Hayle (mutated form made by humans, otherwise known as Lunar, cured by Cinder and Jacin)
- Scarlet Benoit (cured by Cinder and Jacin)
Antidote[]
Queen Levana's labs developed an antidote so Levana could use it as leverage to wed Kai in a marriage alliance. Levana gives Kai a sample of the antidote in Cinder. Kai gives the antidote to Dr. Erland to see if the antidote is genuine and whether or not it can be replicated. Erland gives part of the antidote to Cinder, as he promised her sister would be the first to receive the antidote if he found one. Cinder goes to Peony to give it to her, but Peony is already in the fourth stage of Letumosis and she dies before Cinder can give it to her. Cinder instead gives the antidote to Chang Sunto, whose mother had died of Letumosis. He is healed, proving the antidote is genuine.
Trivia[]
- In Linh Peony's case, the third stage of letumosis lasted less than 24 hours and she was admitted into the quarantine 3 days before her death. The illness works extremely quickly.
- Emperor Rikan lived with the disease for around a week. He was given special treatment in the palace, rather than having to move into the quarantines as the staff ensured he was comfortable at all times.
- In the case of the Morel family, a pillowcase was dyed black and placed on the front porch to warn others that the owners of the house had contracted letumosis. It was also used to ward off trespassers so they would not get the illness or damage the property.
- Chang Sunto was the first to be cured of the disease. The one dose of the antidote, meant for Peony, was given to him after Peony’s death.
- Chang Sacha's booth was burnt & destroyed after she was taken to the quarantines in an effort to control the virus.
- Dmitri Erland's case had mutated.
- Princess Winter Hayle-Blackburn's case had mutated.