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Believed by modern researchers to be caused by an insect, a fly or a a mosquito, malas causes symptoms of fever, tiredness and profuse sweating, that can cause fatal levels of dehydration. Acute phase of the illness typically lasts a week. Main harm, however, is caused by complications of the disease, that can cause secondary malas, which is usually more severe, blindness, paralysis of the limbs and death. Complications usually resurface 2-6 weeks after the acute phase and tend to occur suddenly. It is generally thought that if no symptoms recur 2 months after the initial infection, the person is safe. The fatality of the illness is estimated at 10-20%.
Believed by modern researchers to be caused by an insect, a fly or a a mosquito, malas causes symptoms of fever, tiredness and profuse sweating, that can cause fatal levels of dehydration. Acute phase of the illness typically lasts a week. Main harm, however, is caused by complications of the disease, that can cause secondary malas, which is usually more severe, blindness, paralysis of the limbs and death. Complications usually resurface 2-6 weeks after the acute phase and tend to occur suddenly. It is generally thought that if no symptoms recur 2 months after the initial infection, the person is safe. The fatality of the illness is estimated at 10-20%.
In most cases people that have survived malas develop immunity, although immunity is thought to not be life-long and reinfections have been documented.
In most cases people that have survived malas develop immunity, although immunity is thought to not be life-long and reinfections have been documented. Immunity is stronger if a person gets and survives secondary malas.
The illness has greatly influenced the religious beliefs of peoples in the north. [[The Great Turtle]] believed in Dovra-lum, a god sent to punish human misdeeds. A malas survivor was considered to be cleansed. Only survivors of the disease could become priests.
The illness has greatly influenced the religious beliefs of peoples in the north. [[The Great Turtle]] believed in Dovra-lum, a god sent to punish human misdeeds. A malas survivor was considered to be cleansed. Only survivors of the disease could become priests.