Civil Unrest in Portugal Following Outbreak
Oporto, N. Portugal
Posted: 4th, Oct. 2009
ZWN Field Correspondent - Fernando Antunes (AP)


Unconfirmed reports from a ZWN reporter in Portugal, suggest that a number of subjects contaminated with the deadly Necro-Mortosis virus were recently released from a secure hospital compound. The secluded European Center for Disease Control facility on the outskirts of Oporto, northern Portugal has yet to confirm these reports. The subjects in question, 7 males and 5 females, all confirmed carriers of the Mortosis virus, were released 22 hours ago by an as yet undetermined person or persons into the general population. The 12 infected were transported to Portugal directly from the Belfast outbreak last month.

The Irish Government has confirmed that a "small number" of infected were transported to Portugal, where scientists of the ECDC hoped to better understand the disease and enhance efforts to find a possible cure.

Local Attacks
There have been several confirmed attacks on nearby farms and isolated houses. Local law enforcement is at this point trying to contain the undead roaming the streets of small villages, but it in unclear how far the disease might have spread by now. Reports are coming in of individual attacks in Boavista, Gondomar, Vila Nova de Gaia and as far as Matosinhos, more to the north. Following these outbreaks looting and rioting has started in the streets of these northern towns and cities, giving the police and National Guard even more concern and stretching their resources.

Quarantine
The ECDC has set up several checkpoints and are at this point trying to establish a quarantine zone to prevent the spread of the outbreak. The military has not yet been deployed, but this is expected to happen within the next 12 hours. So far an estimated 31 undead have been destroyed and cremated in improvised bonfires (see picture above) but many more are reported still roaming the streets.

Border Closes
The Spanish government, fearing the outbreak could spread to their territory, subsequently ordered the immediate closing of their northern borders and stationed military personnel at key border points. In a press statement made earlier today, a representative of the Spanish government stated that their northern border was sealed for all effects and purposes and that refugees seeking shelter would not be allowed through at this time. This decision did not please Portuguese citizens thinking of fleeing the outbreak to Spain and it is expected that some confrontations between the fleeing refugees and the Spanish border patrol might occur.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers are also trying to identify the party or parties responsible for the release of the infected subjects. A Government spokesperson issued a statement saying "Any and all persons found to be responsible for the release of these infected individuals shall be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest degree of the law. This is a terrorist action, and shall be judged accordingly."