The Pestilence

The Pestilence is a disease whose true attributes are known only to SCP-049 himself. It is described as an insidious infection, causing death and destruction to all infected by it. Despite the vague description of The Pestilence, there are many theories as to what it truly is.
==Theories==
===Death===
The Pestilence could merely be the act of natural death. Dr. Raymond Hamm's voice is, according to the page, portrayed to be that of an older man, not young. D-85123's age is not revealed or implied, but they also could be older as well. Natural death is something that all men tried to conquer and fail, so it is only natural for SCP-049 to seek to cure it. SCP-049-2 instances cannot die naturally to the SCP Foundation's knowledge, as they are incinerated soon after being made. 049 has also detected much death within Site-19, but little trace of the Pestilence; implying it may be natural death.
===SCP-2718===
Similar to the previous theory, SCP-049 may simply be attempting to prevent SCP-2718, the anomalous phenomenon of experiencing the human body rot after a person's death. It is shown to be extremely contagious, spreading among people who know of that truth. 049 could know of it, and simply be attempting to prevent this horrible afterlife from occurring.
===The Entity===
It's also possible that SCP-049 may be combating the Entity, the malevolent being that dwells within human consciousness and gave humanity emotion. Hamm was shown to be very emotional towards 049's attempts to cure the Pestilence, which may have prompted his curing. 049 also acknowledged the SCP Foundation as men of emotion, not men of science as he initially thought; he also declared the entire organization to be sick soon after this proclamation. Indeed, if this theory is true, it means that 049 was correct, as the Entity sought a horrific future for humanity.
==Meta==
===Appearances===
*Entry Page: 049
Category:Illnesses