Fast forward to the year 2027, where a new web series titled Kaala Paani portrays the resurgence of a potent microorganism in a post-pandemic world. Set in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India, this thriller series explores the looming threat of a bacterial infection.
“What’s its name?”
In a pivotal scene within the series, available on Netflix, Lieutenant Governor Zibran Qadri (played by Ashutosh Gowariker) questions Dr. Shashi Mahajan (portrayed by Chinmay Mandlekar) about the disease’s nomenclature. Dr. Mahajan responds, “Sir, it resembles a variant of Leptospiral Hemorrhagic Fever. We can refer to it as LHF or LHF 27.” The series attributes the disease’s origin to a past outbreak on the islands, indicating that this is an evolved strain of the bacterium.
Dr. Soudamini’s Concerns
Dr. Soudamini Singh (played by Mona Singh), a resilient and principled character, refuses to ignore the disease. She tirelessly investigates its symptoms and raises concerns about postponing a vibrant island festival, fearing a potential deadly outbreak. Unfortunately, her apprehensions go unheeded, as the disease has thus far affected only 11 individuals.
Understanding LHF 27
LHF 27, as depicted, appears to be a variant of an existing disease, one that has manifested previously or is already circulating within the population. The significance of the number 27 remains unclear, except for LG Qadri’s remark, “I hate it when disease names have numbers in them.” The disease is identified as waterborne, and interestingly, the Oraka tribe interprets it similarly to tinnitus, akin to their premonition of the 2004 Tsunami. LHF typically begins with a fever, and a distinctive velvety black rash, localized to the back of the neck, is a notable symptom. The series portrays a pattern where individuals infected with the disease initially recover, only to succumb to it upon reinfection.
Hiccups as a Grim Sign
Dr. Singh observes that hiccups are a prominent symptom when individuals contract the infection for the second time. This pattern echoes the past outbreak of the disease, as confirmed by Dr. Singh through discussions with the surviving family members of previous victims. Those who succumbed to the infection, including the tribesman’s father, experienced persistent hiccups before their demise. The series also illustrates a character’s death shortly after being discharged from the hospital, highlighting the disease’s unpredictable nature.
Is LHF 27 Real?
The portrayal of this outbreak in Kaala Paani draws parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic that India faced in 2020. During the initial stages, when Dr. Singh believed containment was possible, the relatively low number of infected individuals did not warrant lockdowns or the postponement of a major festival. The reference to LHF 27, particularly the numerical aspect, underscores that when an outbreak occurs for a second time within the same population, it can be as contagious and infectious as the initial outbreak. Kaala Paani doesn’t have a singular hero; every character plays a heroic role in the narrative.
