Notes on X18:
In study of virus X18, numerous odd traits have arisen.
Human beings seem incapable of carrying the virus, despite its broad compatibility with all other tested species, though they do still suffer symptoms if exposed to it. Furthermore, symptoms in man differ from those in other creatures; while virtually all animals slowly gain more human-like characteristics (such as bipedalism and near-human intellects) and seem to gain a compulsion to spread X18 immediately upon infection, humans show instantaneous physical changes towards traits of the animal from which they received the virus but no noticeable mental effects that cannot be reasonably attributed to stress caused by the unexpected changes. Infection and symptom rate in most species is approximately 0.03%. However, symptoms present themselves in virtually 100% of exposed humans.
In compatible species, X18 is carried in bodily fluids such as blood, semen, or saliva. Even light contact with any such substance causes symptoms in humans, though due to the virus's relative incompatibility with them only the areas of their bodies exposed to the substances are affected. However, if ingested X18 can be spread through a human body by the digestive system before eradication, at which point widespread symptoms in all parts of the body may be experienced.
Further data on X18 is required for a full report. Therefore, a test animal infected by the virus has been released into a nearby town so that the extent of its effects on humans may be fully observed.