The Plague of Kagoshima

[aimway921]

Late 1945, the upper crust of the Empire didn't pay too much attention to Kagoshima, colony so far away, Kyoto had to concede and allow decentralized authority, putting the internal matters of the colony entirely into the hands of the appointed governor - Daimyo Togokashi Seiyu. Despite this, the colony was rather well-off. Seiyu-sama, one of the more kind Daimyos who would often listen to the input of the ippanjin under his rule. Perhaps that was a reason why his clan was sent off to rule over such a distant colony - most of the nobility weren't enthusiastic about his ways of giving voice to the people. This probably had to do with his age - he was young, the new oncoming generation. Seiyu clan was the first to make the transition, as Togokashi's father, the previous Daimyo of the clan, has passed away less than 5 years ago, passing the title to Togokashi, the heir of the clan.

It was disconcerting, when to him were brought multiple reports from the city Kunigami - one of the larger towns in the colony. The statistic report indicated that there was a surge in hospitalizations. No one could really tell what was going on - symptoms seemed to be random, notable of a whole bunch of common diseases. The only commonality they could find is that the surge, for now, was localized in one part of the town. 

Seiyu knew he had to send a report to Kyoto. But given how other nobility viewed him - would they take it seriously? There was no knowing. Addressed to Minister of Internal Affairs, Seiyu wrote a letter. It would take over a week until it goes through the beurocracy machine and reaches the Minister's desk.

[aimway921]

About a week or so after the events in Kagoshima, the hospitalizations started rising in other colonies - and this time closer to home.

Reports would flow in from 2 cities on Manshu - Koniku and Kalikelo (originally Conina and Kalykleio respectively), and one in Kankoku - Jalpori (originally Chalaropi). All of these were several days apart and seemingly had no relation to eachother.

However, the reports from Manshu came into the central hospital in the Manshu colonial capital - Haburi - where they were reviewed by the medical staff to evaluate if they should do anything about it. One of the younger members has noticed a correlation between the reports, however, his position was too low to have any authority on the matter.

[aimway921]

Several weeks have passed until knew reports have flooded in. This time it was much more grim - multiple towns in the colonies, and now even 3 of the Home Islands - including 2 towns in Oda. This alerted many people up top. Reviewing the reports, the team of the Health Minister has deduced a common symptom - respiratory issues. In addition, it has been established that it is a bacteria.

After a prolonged meeting, the measures have finally been decided on. It is rumored that the Tennō himself had demanded the harshest of measured to be taken immediately to end the brewing crisis as fast as possible, preferably before it even becomes a significant problem.

Absolute lockdown of all towns where the disease was reported has been announced. The Home Guard has been mobilized to full strength to enforce the lockdown, cutting off both ways in and out of the towns, as well as enforcing martial law in the town's themselves.
Military doctors would be with screening every resident of said towns, and those who are found with traces of the bacteria would be relocated to several select medical centers - which were also locked down by the Home Guard.

To avoid infection themselves, all the Home Guard were instructed to wear gas masks at all times when on duty, with several factories ramping up the production of filters to keep the soldiers supplied.

In addition, the Navy has been instructed to cooperate with the Home Guards, blockading the islands with breakouts. Travel for trade or any business would be reviewed and allowed on a case-by-case basis.

[aimway921]

As the quarantine measured are being enacted, the isolated population is now in demand of extra provisions. To cope with the increase in demand, Ashigawa stops all food exports to the international market.