Dantooine Quarantine to be Lifted

Dantooine, Riaoballo Sector — The plague in the city of Garang on Dantooine that, last month, caused fears of an interstellar pandemic has been eradicated, according to New Republic officials. At a press conference in Garang on Natunda, the officials predicted the quarantine on travel to and from Dantooine would be lifted this week.

"Thanks to the dedication of the New Republic's doctors and specialists, the generous donations of supplies, and the cooperation and professionalism of the Republic Fleet and [Dantooine's] government, this strain has been contained, studied, and eradicated," it was announced, "The quarantine will be lifted on Atunda, and free commerce will resume." The Mon Calamari cruiser Home One, which has facilitated the quarantine, will also depart this week.

The virus proved difficult to identify, as patients exhibited symptoms of three different diseases; Endregaad Plague, Blastonecrosis, and the Bonadan Cough. It was later discovered that all three had been combined and released on Dantooine, a phenomenon that officials said was unlikely to occur naturally. "We have not ruled out the possibility that this was done deliberately," Doctor Hercule Levitt of the New Republic Medical Institute told The Coruscant Journal, "These viruses must have been synthesized, perhaps as a biological weapon."

New Republic Intelligence (NRI) confirmed that it was looking into the matter. Director Airen Cracken told reporters last week that it had not been determined whether the outbreak was a deliberate, terrorist act, but assured the public that there was no reason to fear such attacks at this time.

The virus—termed the "Dantooine Plague"—appeared in the city of Garang last month, sickening hundreds in a matter of hours and prompting the planet's Senator, Jamulon Desiljic Tiure, to appeal to the New Republic for assistance. A quarantine was declared, and the cruiser Home One was dispatched to coordinate treatment, relief efforts, and the distribution of supplies donated from dozens of worlds including Neimoidia, Mowgle, and Druckenwell. New Republic troops also worked with the local Khoonda Administration (Dantooine's government) to maintain order, raise awareness of the disease, and prevent its spread.

Over 200 died from the Dantooine Plague, with hundreds more taken ill and treated for relapses. According to Natunda's announcement, there are no more recorded cases on the planet and a treatment method has been devised if it reoccurs.

"This has been handled in a quick and efficient manner," Senator Tiure commented to The Coruscant Journal, "which has been in stark contrast to previous administrations. Now that the infection is over, the Dantooine Carnival will be held for the next seven days!" Food and alcohol at the carnival will be free, courtesy of the Senator and his Khoonda Administration..