The Red Rust is the name set for the a fast-acting plant virus that is currently affecting most of the plants on the planet. The virus is the latest mutation of the Red Flu and is spread by leaf-eating insects. The virus is currently infecting and killing a majority of the world's crops. In the events of Season 4, it continues to spread at its current alarming rate and within a year could mean a complete breakdown of the Earth's biosphere. The virus spreads faster than expected because plant-eating insects were a hyper-efficient vector for Red Rust.
In "Endgame," the crew of the Nathan James were able to retrieve the seeds of the only plant that was immune to the Red Rust. They were also able to get some plants and insects that Doctor Paul Vellek had cured that were Nostos free. It was stated that with the seeds and the cured plants and insects, the Nathan James crew could replicate Vellek's cure and spread it around the world in half the time that it took the Red Rust to poison the planet.
Virus effects[]
Plantlife[]
- Corn crop - estimated 90% infected
- Rice - almost 100% infected
- Wheat - almost 100% infected
- Sugarcane
- Bananas
- Majority of the earth's grasslands
Human life[]
- 500,000 people died of famine in the United States.
- Millions of South Americans died of famine.