Wing Rot

Wing Rot is a condition that affects shawins, so named because it causes the degradation of their wings as the disease progresses. It is a genetic condition caused by a mutated gene. It is a recessive allele and as such fairly rare.

Transmission & Vectors

Wing Rot is not infectious, though that was unknown in the beginning and part of the fear associated with it.
It can only be passed on genetically. A mutation in the genes responsible for maintaining a shawin's wings in reproductive cells is what originally caused the condition. It is a recessive gene, so both parents must pass the mutated gene to the offspring for the condition to manifest. The mutation has happened in several populations of shawins, and is likely present in all of their gene pools.

Causes

Shawins have a cluster of genes responsible for their wings, the development, maintenance, and appearance. If reproductive cells have a mutation of the wing maintenance genes, after the offspring's wings develop, they will not produce new feathers or have proper cell growth.

Symptoms

Wings stop growing, feathers falling out is incredibly painful. The wings cannot support the person's weight, they can't fly. The wings ache, the bones are weak and break easily.

Treatment

Currently there is no cure for wing rot, as genetic therapy is not technologically possible.
The most effective treatment is to amputate the wings as soon as the wing rot is recognized. If for some reason that is not possible, various medicines are used to ease pain and make the person as comfortable as possible.

Prognosis

Wing rot is very painful for the afflicted individuals, and as time goes on, they tend to suffer more and more injuries to their wings. If the wings are not amputated, many people die from injuries or take their own life because of the chronic, debilitating pain.
At birth, shawins appear normal, their fledgling wings develop as expected. As they begin to grow, however, their wings don't grow with them. They are never able to fly from the stunted growth and weak bones.

Sequela

A lot of shawins with wing rot also develop depression or other mental illness due to their poor quality of life. If the shawin has their wings amputated, they often still feel alienated, and they are high risk for depression.
During the amputation, depending on the time period and technology available as well as cleanliness habits, there is risk of blood loss, infection of the wound, or even death.

Hosts & Carriers

A good number of shawins are carries of the mutated gene, but not afflicted by wing rot. They can be male or female. (Zirch with one copy of the gene but not afflicted are not considered carriers because they cannot reproduce and pass on the gene.)

Prevention

Currently wing rot cannot be prevented. There are superstitions about protection rituals being effective.

Epidemiology

Many families aren't aware that they carry the mutated gene for wing rot. It goes undetected through most of the population.

Cultural Reception

There was initially a lot of fear of wing rot. When it first appeared it wasn't known to be non-contagious, and the afflicted child(ren) were put out of the community to die. Later on, people realized it couldn't be caught by being around someone afflicted. They received more sympathy. A lot of victims who have the amputation tend to be ostracized due to their disability.

Type

Genetic

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• Shawin