Similar symptoms have afflicted large numbers of Athenians. The epidemic began last year, not long after Athens came to blows with a neighboring city-state. Refugees entering the city, however, are quickly infected. Much of the eastern Mediterranean is now at risk. The epidemic waxes and wanes, but it does not appear to be seasonal.
Some survivors have permanent mental disability, blindness or gangrenous loss of fingers or toes.
According to some unsubstantiated reports, dogs and birds have died after feeding on infected human corpses. The patient is alert but extremely weak. He complains of an intense fever, yet his skin is moist, not hot, to the touch. His eyes are red, as is the back of his throat, which is also covered with clotted blood. His breath is foul smelling.