At the hospital where Dr. Agniya Smolskaya works, something inexplicable happens. Over the last two weeks, more than twenty patients have died from what initially seems like a simple case of acute respiratory illness (ARI). Suspicion arises that it may be a new strain of flu that doesn’t respond to usual medicines and antibiotics.
The infection begins to spread to other medical institutions in the city, yet Agniya is sure the source is right in her own hospital. The spread must be stopped! The Department of Medical Investigations is tasked with finding the cause of the virus and determining who might be interested in the deaths of innocent patients. It turns out there are two viruses, and one of them was created artificially.
Now Agniya becomes personally involved in developing a vaccine, because she herself is infected—with dangerous symptoms.