Terrifying Bug From Outer Space Could Kill 500 Million by Year 2000,
Warn Frightened Doctors!

This unidentified Algerian worker was one of the first victims of the plague. He has since died.

By George Sanford, W:.W:.N:.

EL DJAZIR, Algeria -- Scientists here have isolated a tiny infectious organism that did not evolve on Earth, but instead originated in another solar system!

The mystery microbe, previously believed to be an ordinary virus, has infected more than 380 people in this troubled nation so far this year -- and chillingly, the contagion is spreading so rapidly that experts say it could claim 500 million victims worldwide by the year 2000.

"These life-forms are unlike any known virus," revealed U.N. researcher Dr. Claude LaFay, leader of an international medical team probing the epidemic. "We have carefully analyzed their DNA and found that they are not related to any other living thing on Earth."

Unlike the AIDS virus, the organism -- named RH-40 can be spread by casual contact, for example a kiss, handshake or a close face-to-face conversation. The early symptoms are a rash characterized by ugly purple sores that appear first on the arms or legs and then spread quickly to the rest of the body.

Strangely, in the four weeks before death victims of the "cosmic virus" take on odd behavioral characteristics, like those afflicted by rabies. "They experience intense fever symptoms for about 72 hours, then they become curiously passive and docile," said Dr. LaFay.

"They also take on a slightly limping gait and slurred speech, and have a tendency to wander from their beds late at night."

Alien Organism classified as RH-40 magnified millions of times.

The microscopic organisms, average just 10 manometers in diameter -- half the size of the smallest known Earth virus and 40 times smaller than the smallest bacteria. "RH-40 can only be seen under a powerful electron microscope," said Dr. LaFay.

The physical characteristics of the organism are highly unusual. Unlike viruses, which are typically either rod-shaped or spherical, RH-40 has jagged spikes like a pollen spore. "We have observed what appears to be a brain-like structure within the organism," said the scientist.

There is thus far no cure for the disease, which experts say may have come to Earth in a meteor. But President Clinton has promised the U.N. that America will donate more than $25 million to help find a cure for the illness, noting that "this is a problem the whole world is facing."

Oddly enough, more than half of those who have fallen victim to the contagion so far have reportedly been military and police officials -- leading some frightened locals to speculate that what has become known as the "limping plague" is somehow capable of choosing new victims.

UFO buffs from around the be a brain-like structure within world have been quick to jump on the discovery of the organism.

Some actually speculate that the "mind-control microbes" were deliberately seeded on Earth.

"For years people have believed that an invasion of our planet would be carried out by large, clunky flying saucers piloted by little green men," Swiss researcher Tor Schwizer wrote in the international UFO journal Third Kind Encounters. "Instead, it seems that at least the first wave of the invading force is made up of tiny microbes too small for the eye to see."

U.N. scientists pooh-pooh the notion of a deliberate invasion, but suggest that other viruses be carefully studied. "It's certainly possible that a host of infectious organisms believed to be ordinary winter flu viruses are in fact, alien life-forms from deep space," noted Dr. LaFay.

Believe it or not!