[abstract]
Previous studies of paleoparasitology show some parallels with the current wave of infections across mainland USA (cf global genomic analysis of the primary sequence of Plasmodium falciparum, the main cause of human malaria). Analysis of human subjects are inconclusive, but, interestingly, Professor A. Clarke of Penge University discussed in a paper published last week in Ancient and Modern Parasitology Weekly the existence of a possible link between Plasmodium yoelii andtriangularum mechanicus, as the triangle parasite has been labelled by some members of the parasitology community.
[see full article, 733.13a]

Partial responses from delegates at emergency meeting convened under NSA security protocol 19f.34.b. Actual names of delegates withheld. Responses limited to pertinent items only. Full conference transcript unavailable except to agents with level clearance.

[Delegate A] Professor Clarke’s insistence on using the label triangularum mechanicus is misleading, and potentially dangerous, as it could lead to other avenues of investigation being closed due to misunderstanding of the cause, which could still be organic and not solely due to the growths found on this victim.

[Delegate A contd.] To deny the possibility of cancerous cells being the root cause would be irresponsible in the extreme. Naturally-occurring cancerous activity cannot be discounted until a fresh and intact subject can be examined under laboratory conditions.

[Delegate B] Intense cellular, or possibly molecular, activity of probable foreign origin has led to rapid organic decay in the human subject [identification withheld]. Foreign inorganic material found fused to the bone indicates possible parasitic activity but not of a type known to have ever been documented before. A weaponised biological cause should not be discounted at this stage, but the presence of inorganic material is extremely unusual in a case of this sort. Foreign organic material was not found during the examination, but the decay of the corpse within hours of the time of death means that the lack of certain evidence cannot be considered conclusive.

[Delegate C] It has not so far been possible to successfully conduct genome sequencing on any of the human subjects or the unidentified growths, due to unusually rapid tissue decay. Some DNA analysis of surrounding tissue has been possible, although inconclusive, and the transmission mode is still unknown. Vectorborne transmission should be considered the most likely possibility, but since the exact method has not yet been isolated any assumptions made at present could prove false and conclusions based on the evidence so far collected cannot be considered valid.