"Ouch!" Qiao Yutong’s heel fiercely stomped on Song Xiaodong’s leather shoe, creating a dent. Song Xiaodong let out a painful cry.

"Hurry up, I didn’t eat much this morning and I’m really hungry now." Qiao Yutong said as she got back into Song Xiaodong’s car.

Song Xiaodong, Vice President Zhao, and Doctor Zhang went upstairs to the meeting room.

"Director Zhao is here, have a seat." Deputy Director Wang from the Health Bureau spotted Director Zhao and came over to invite them to sit.

Song Xiaodong surveyed the room; attendees included Director Wu from the Health Bureau, Deputy Director Wang, several hospital directors, and medical experts from their respective hospitals.

"Alright, we’re having a meeting today to discuss the chickenpox epidemic that’s been appearing in our city lately." Director Wu’s brief opening.

"Let’s have the directors talk about their respective hospital situations."

Director Qian said: "Our hospital has a total of 12 chickenpox patients, their conditions are basically the same, all have yellow bean-shaped pustules that rupture with yellow pus, foul-smelling. Patients complain of intolerable itching and pain, Western medicine has no specific drug, Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment is slow to take effect."

Director Zhang said: "We’ve had a total of 8 patients, their conditions are basically consistent with what Director Qian described, both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine have had unsatisfactory results, the patients are suffering greatly."

Chapter 1946 Chickenpox is Not Contagious

President Li said: "We’ve had a total of 10 patients, their conditions are consistent with what everyone mentioned, just yellow pustules, unbearable itch, and mediocre treatment results."

"Let’s hear the experts’ opinions now." Director Wu asked again.

"Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease caused by initial viral infection, mostly affecting infants and preschool children, but adults can also be affected with more severe conditions, mainly concentrated on the chest, abdomen, and back, less on limbs, with strong transmissibility." Expert Liu explained.

"Currently, Western medicine doesn’t have a specific treatment for chickenpox, mainly focusing on symptomatic treatment. Patients should be isolated early, use antiviral drugs and interferons to prevent disease progression and further spread."

"This outbreak’s chickenpox symptoms are more severe, but patients haven’t shown severe mucosal or organ damage, so the infection risk isn’t high, and mortality rate is low."

"The main concern now is the issue of contagion, chickenpox is highly contagious, with a sudden outbreak recently, we need to implement preventive measures." Expert Liu finished.

"Hmm."

The medical experts present nodded repeatedly.

"I don’t think it’s necessary."

A dissenting voice suddenly came from the corner.

"Hmm?"

"What did you say?"

The directors and medical experts present were amazed to hear this disapproval.

Putting aside Expert Liu’s influential academic status in Minghe City’s medical field, the dissent on the strongly contagious nature of chickenpox was contrary to common knowledge.

Everyone turned around to see who had spoken; it was Song Xiaodong sitting next to Vice President Zhao. Young and unremarkable in appearance, he was calm and smiling lightly, meeting the astonished gazes with sharp eyes.

"I believe this chickenpox isn’t contagious." Song Xiaodong stated.

"What a joke, chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by a virus, contact with infected patients can lead to illness. If chickenpox isn’t contagious, how do you explain so many people being infected simultaneously?" Doctor Zhang, long at odds with Song Xiaodong, seized the opportunity to challenge him.

Song Xiaodong felt Doctor Zhang’s hostility at their first meeting, so he wasn’t surprised by Doctor Zhang’s reaction during the meeting. He simply glanced at Doctor Zhang calmly without speaking, waiting for everyone’s doubts to be expressed.

"Exactly, chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, humans are the only host, patients are the sole source of infection, transmission can occur through respiratory droplets and direct contact. How can you say this chickenpox isn’t contagious?" Expert Li questioned.

"Yeah, who is this guy? Which hospital is he from? Does he have any medical knowledge?"

"Embarrassing, doesn’t even know the basics about chickenpox but dares to attend the chickenpox medical research meeting."

Song Xiaodong remained silent, waiting for the experts to finish their ridicule before speaking: "Have you investigated the patients?"

"Of course, for such contagious diseases, collecting patient information is essential." Director Qian answered Song Xiaodong disdainfully.

"Then tell me, where are the patients from?" Song Xiaodong asked the directors and experts.

"Uh..."

The directors and experts looked slightly uncomfortable.

"All patients are from Daohua Village in Minghe City." Expert Liu answered proactively.

Despite his white hair, Expert Liu spoke with vigor, his commanding presence like that of a general seated beside Director Wu.

"And you?" Song Xiaodong tilted his head to ask the directors present.

Several directors glanced at Director Wu, who nodded, prompting them to answer: "The chickenpox patients we received are also all from Daohua Village."

"Is that so?" Director Wu seemed to recall something, muttering.

"Director Wu, chickenpox is contagious, concentrated outbreaks in a village are normal. Now, Director Wu should quickly implement lockdown and preventive work in Daohua Village to prevent further spread." Expert Liu dismissively glanced at Song Xiaodong, addressing Director Wu.