WesWorld

29 September

Police and army units are scrambling to establish a quarantine around the city of Imphal, in the northeastern state of Manipur.

The move came shortly after an independent radio station in the city reported that up to a dozen cases of gravely ill patients had been admitted to city hospitals with symptoms of what may be El Derretir. There are no reports of deaths, but hospital administrators have confirmed that the patients are being isolated to the greatest extent possible.

State governor Kalidas Mattek took the unusual step of condemning the quarantine, telling reporters, "This is a serious over-reaction on the part of the powers that be. There is no confirmation that we're looking at El Derretir, and there's no reason to think a larger outbreak is in the making. All a quarantine will accomplish at this point is in creating panic."

Indeed, several thousand residents have been seen on roads leading out of the city. Some have been stopped by police and army patrols, but some others have apparently been able to elude detainment.

30 September

The Bharatiya Nau Sena says that Indian warships engaged in pirate-hunting activities in the South China Sea appear to be safe from the El Derretir disease.

"Although there were two seaplane flights between our forces at Mischief Reef and the port at Itu Aba in the days before the latter's evacuation, no signs of the disease have appeared in the squadron since then. We are concluding that the sqaudron is currently safe, and are arranging for logistical support to free up Filipino resources that must turn their attention elsewhere", said Admiral Kashiram Paswan.

The Navy confirmed that the squadron - a seaplane carrier, a tender, and several patrol vessels - would remain at Mischief Reef to continue their mission. "Pirates thrives when civil society is beset by turmoil", Admiral Paswan noted. "We will not let the pirates take advantage of our ally's plight."

Batavia Bugle, September 17th
Governor-General A.C.D. de Graeff has announced that, due to disease outbreak, all shipping from the Philippines will be turned away, all ships having arrived from the Philippines in the past two weeks are subject to internment and quarantine. All shipping traffic is forbidden from departing for the Philippines. All Koninklijke Nederlandse Kustwacht leaves are canceled and patrol cutters will be deployed to interdict traffic from the Philippines. Requests for updates on the pathology of the disease have been lodged with the Philippines embassy. Within the Dutch East Indies, all medical doctors are required to become familiar with available information regarding the disease, updates will be made available by the Netherland health services as information becomes available.

Batavia Bugle, September 27st
Governor-General A.C.D. de Graeff issued a statement today “Permitting the people of the Philippines to suffer as a result of the political difficulties between our nations serves no purpose. The interest of the Netherlands is manifestly in containing this plague. I have been directed to offer aid and have authorized the release of medical and chemical warfare stores from Koninklijke Landmacht depots. The Marine transport Nicobar has commenced loading at Soerabaja Naval Base and will depart this evening. The Nicobar has a small on-board hospital with staff, and in addition to her two companies of Marines, medical staff have been mustered from bases throughout Java. The Nicobar is expected to arrive in Manila on October 1st. We have also arrangements with Royal Dutch Shell to provide proper protective gear, in the mean time two tankers have departed manned by properly geared Navy personnel with protective garb.”

Batavia Bugle, September 29th
Governor-General A.C.D. de Graeff issued a statement today “The Nicobar’s sister ship, Andaman has been recalled from Tolitoli and has commenced loading in Balikpapan with a second series of supplies from the depots of the 23rd Division. Medical teams from the 23rd Division will make transit with the Andaman. The normal Marine battalion is of course still engaged in security duties on Sulawesi. The Andaman will be accompanied by a navy-manned oil tanker. The two ships are expected to depart early on the 30th and make a four day transit to Manila.”

Batavia Bugle September 31st
Governor-General A.C.D. de Graeff has announced the quarantine of Northern Sulawesi from Gorontalo to Manado and the islands north to Sangihe.
“Preliminary reports indicate problems similar to the disease reported in the Philippines. There are reportedly 13 people seriously ill in Manado. Local authorities have been working to trace the origins. There has been three deaths, all among the crew of a fishing boat from the island of Saiu which made port on the 29th. As Saiu and Sangihe are known for their resourceful entrepreneurial smugglers, we fear El Derretir has come to the Dutch East Indies.

Martial law is hereby declared and all Sulawesi battalions will be activated. All shipping in the waters of Sulawesi is to cease until the port of origin has been visited by Naval medical teams and declared safe, at which time fishing vessels may resume operations provided they return to the same port.

The Andaman has been redirected to Manado and further relief vessels will be appropriated and dispatched. Aid stations will be established throughout the Dutch East Indies in and public announcements regarding symptoms shall be made. Arrangements are being made for all provincial battalions to be activated for training by October 20th.