New Plague

The New Plague is an infectious disease which first arose in the 2050s within the United States. Research into possible cures for the New Plague created the Forced Evolution Virus.

Background
In 2053, the New Plague arises, killing tens of thousands and leading to the first nationwide quarantine, though its origins are unknown. In 2055, West Tek started to develop a cure for the plague, establishing the West Tek Research Facility. The government used the paranoia surrounding the virus to discourage assemblies, fuel anti-communist sentiment, and encourage informing government forces of suspected subversive elements. The government further used New Plague to register civilians, claiming a symptom of the plague was "socialist thoughts" and advocating isolation: people should stay indoors, read books, and avoid "ice cream socials." Citizens were told that if they believed they were infected, they were to contact a disease control center, such as the disaster relief outpost in Point Lookout. West-Tek was ultimately unable to develop a cure and control of the West Tek Research Facility was handed over to the military in 2071. In February 2077, FEV research is leaked leading protests in major cities across the world as they view the FEV as a treat, with accusations of the US being responsible for the New Plague being further stoked.

Characteristics
The New Plague was a highly virulent contagion that was easily spread from person to person. The usual methods of controlling the spread of the disease were isolation and containment. The worst symptoms included profuse sweating, unexplained contusions, and swelling, and eventually terminated in massive external hemorrhaging.

Appearances
The New Plague is mentioned in Fallout, Fallout Tactics, the Fallout 3 add-on Point Lookout, and Fallout 76.