Chernarus Outbreak

Chernogorsk in 1996

The Chernarus Outbreak refers to the epidemic and containment of the FCR95 virus in Russia's Chernarus Peninsula. The Incident was mostly kept secret from the pubic until declassified documents were released in 2010. The outbreak sparked controversy over the Russian government's handling of the situation and the tactics utilized during and after containment.

## Background

### Chernarus

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia's economy declined greatly, resulting in mass poverty and overall economic decline across the country. The Chernarus Oblast was hit the hardest, suffering the worst out of the entire country. As a result of this economic climate, a majority of Chernarussian natives began doomsday prepping for the seemingly inevitable economic collapse. They stashed weapons and canned food in their houses as a way to help guarantee their survival should the worst happen.

### Russian Weapons Research in Chernarus

In order to protect their own interests following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia began researching and developing new biological weapons that could keep the West at bay. They set up a laboratory in Chernarus dedicated to bioweaponry research and manufacturing. The lab soon produced a deadly compound only referred to as "PO-X". This compound, usually used in a gaseous form, produced extremely negative effects on anyone within its vicinity, resulting in difficulty breathing, internal and external bleeding, vomiting, unconsciousness, and eventually death.

## Outbreak

### Beginning

The true way the outbreak started is unknown, but some theorize that a missile containing a gaseous form of the FCR95 Virus was launched at Chernogorsk. Those who breathed in the gas were infected and began to harbor the virus, likely unknowingly given its long incubation period. It is believed at least 1000 in Chernarus were infected on just the first day. Several of these people travelled to other towns in the coming weeks, not knowing the virus would soon take hold and begin spreading the infection to other parts of the region. As the virus exited its incubation stage, the virus almost acted like a souped up version of Rabies. It spread through bite and very rarely through touch. Early stage symptoms included dementia-like symptoms, irritability, nausea, dehydration, and amnesia. Late stage symptoms included foaming of the mouth, necrosis of the skin and brain, 'fear' of water, aggression, severe bleeding, and the victim making loud screeching noises. The virus spread across the land within a matter of weeks, with riots and fighting breaking out in many towns.

### Russian Response

As Police were overwhelmed by the riots, fights, and infected outbreaks, they were forced to contact the local military base. The military were relatively successful at containing the spread for about two weeks, before many of the sick they had under treatment succumbed to the virus and killed several soldiers. The defenses were crippled from the inside and the military lost control over most of the region, resulting in battles between soldiers, bandits, and the sick. The Chernarussian Independence Movement took advantage of the chaos and started an armed rebellion, taking control of the airbase from the weakened military.

## Containment

### United Nations Peacekeepers

Upon learning the truth about the containment zone, the United Nations determined the outbreak to be a threat to international security. The UN authorized for the three best covert squads, Outlaw, Sigma, and Vice, to infiltrate Chernarus without Russia's knowledge. In order to remain clandestine each member was given a codename to go by. Their mission goal was to collect intel and samples in order to help determine the cause of the outbreak. They began their training in 1996 and were deployed in the summer of 1997. However, despite their intense training and prestigious service records, the squads were severely ill-equipped to survive in Chernarus. Sigma and Vice squads both experienced heavy losses while Outlaw Squad had no survivors. They were still successful, however, managing to collect information on the FCR95 virus and the highly experimental PO-X bioweapon.

Russia quickly learned about the UN's operation and demanded the return of classified information regarding the PO-X bioweapon. However, The UN denied any knowledge of a bioweapon or the outbreak in Chernarus.