SCP-3281

Item #: SCP-3281

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: No method is known to prevent the spontaneous occurrence of subtype-A or T incidents of SCP-3281, and resource-allocation is currently prioritized toward the inhibition of SCP-3281 outbreaks.

All data related to SCP-3281 is to be added to the encrypted database of Autonomic Analysis and Response System 538 (AARS538). AARS538 is to have full and immediate access to all data from the Foundation's civilian-surveillance pathways. In the event that an outbreak is detected by AARS538, the system will dispense a set of unmanned aerial drones to the effected area, which will discharge either aerosol cartridges of Class-A amnestics (in subtype A incidents involving a radius of less than .5 km) or incendiary devices (in subtype T incidents or subtype A incidents involving a radius larger than .5 km). Foundation agents will only be dispatched by AARS538 when the outbreak has been judged as totally neutralized.

Members of Foundation staff who have been affected by SCP-3281 and any individual exposed to them are to be immediately transported to their facility's chamber-538. While detained there, the affected individuals will be exposed to Class-A amnestics while behavioral data is collected and processed by AARS538. The individuals will only be released when no signs of SCP-3281 are visible.

All data within AARS538's databases are to be autoencrypted to prevent the retrieval of files by any other system. In the event that the database is believed to be compromised, AARS538 will immediately self-destruct with the use of an internal explosive device.

Description: SCP-3281 is a class of memetic diseases that spread through the concepts of specific actions. Twenty-four strains are currently identified. If a human becomes cognizant of the process of performing one of these actions, they will immediately gain a strong compulsion to do so. The longer the individual resists this compulsion, the more severe the psychological effects will become. After 1-3 hours, this results in brain damage characterized by a progressive loss of cognition and self-control. No case has reported resistance against the compulsion for longer than 43 hours.

Individuals may become afflicted with SCP-3281 spontaneously by developing the idea of the anomalous action. SCP-3281 may also be contracted by processing a recorded description or, most commonly, by observing the action being performed by an afflicted individual. Once afflicted with SCP-3281, an individual can only be partially cured with the application of amnestics. While the compulsion and progressive aspect of the disease will be alleviated in these cases, brain damage will remain.

Three subtypes of SCP-3281 exist, designated subtype N, A and T.

SCP-3281-N describes strains that have been universally neutralized to prevent any spontaneous incidents.

Known strains of SCP-3281-N Close SCP-3281-N-a Previous subtype: T

Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual [REDACTED BY AARS538] with a ████████ brand garden trowel.

Transmissability rating: D-

Spontaneity rating: C

Neutralization report: By Foundation intervention, ████████ brand garden trowels have been totally recalled, and all records of the product's existence have been removed. Individuals closely linked to the production of the product have been administered the appropriate amnestics.

Known casualties: 37 dead, 18 injured, 178 with permanent brain damage, 24 terminated SCP-3281-N-b Previous subtype: A

Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual covers the surface of their face with [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: C+

Spontaneity rating: C+

Neutralization report: [REDACTED BY AARS538], the primary ingredient of [REDACTED BY AARS538] was rendered extinct, and all samples were destroyed.

Known casualties: 3 injured, 413 with permanent brain damage

Notes: Individuals who mistook [REDACTED BY AARS538] for [REDACTED BY AARS538] or other similar condiments were not afflicted. SCP-3281-N-c Previous subtype: T

Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual travels to the nearest populated area in a [REDACTED BY AARS538] model sports utility vehicle and uses the vehicle to injure or kill any pedestrians visible.

Transmissability rating: D

Spontaneity rating: B+

Neutralization report: By Foundation intervention, [REDACTED BY AARS538] model sports utility vehicles have been totally recalled, and all records of the vehicle's existence have been removed. Individuals linked to the product have been administered the appropriate amnestics.

Known casualties: 83 dead, 109 injured, 76 with permanent brain damage, 15 terminated

Notes: Only individuals who recognized the specific brand of vehicle used became afflicted by SCP-3281-N-c. SCP-3281-N-d Previous subtype: A

Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual performs a handstand and [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: B

Spontaneity rating: D+

Neutralization report: During routine testing performed automatically by AARS538, transmission of the strain no longer appeared to affect the D-Class subjects.

Known casualties: 5 injured, 35 with permanent brain damage

Notes: The conditions leading to SCP-3281-N-d's neutralization are still unknown. No declassification process is in place.

SCP-3281-A describes strains in which the threat of a severe outbreak or significant harm to human life is low enough that non-lethal methods are pursued.

Known strains of SCP-3281-A Close SCP-3281-A-a Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual gathers dirt in a [REDACTED BY AARS538], carries it to their own bathtub (or shower if a bathtub is unavailable) and [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: B

Spontaneity rating: D

Known casualties: 212 with permanent brain damage. SCP-3281-A-b Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual performs a series of repetitive gestures lasting approximately two minutes which includes [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: C+

Spontaneity rating: B-

Known casualties: None

Notes: An individual must observe the entire two-minute action to become afflicted. SCP-3281-A-c Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual travels to a barn where no other humans are visible, climbs onto the roof and [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: F

Spontaneity rating: B

Known casualties: 1 injured, 1 with permanent brain damage SCP-3281-A-d Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual lays flat on the ground and [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: B+

Spontaneity rating: C

Known casualties: 1 dead, 23 injured, 63 with permanent brain damage, 1 terminated SCP-3281-A-e Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual travels to the nearest boat dealership, seeks out a customer service representative and makes a request for [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: B

Spontaneity rating: B-

Known casualties: 14 with permanent brain damage

Notes: Does not appear to occur in areas further than 138 km from a large body of water. SCP-3281-A-f Description of anomalous action: Variant of SCP-3281-A-b, with gestures including [REDACTED BY AARS538], lasting up to four minutes.

Transmissability rating: C

Spontaneity rating: B-

Known casualties: 2 with permanent brain damage

Notes: An individual must observe the entire four-minute action to become afflicted. SCP-3281-A-g Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual repeats the phrase [REDACTED BY AARS538] to the nearest individual, and then stands completely still.

Transmissability rating: B

Spontaneity rating: C-

Known casualties: 10 with permanent brain damage SCP-3281-A-h Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual blinks their eyelids to form a pattern in morse code encoding [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: C

Spontaneity rating: C-

Known casualties: 1 with permanent brain damage SCP-3281-A-i Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual seeks out the nearest [REDACTED BY AARS538] and repetitively [REDACTED BY AARS538] until the [REDACTED BY AARS538] requires replacement.

Transmissability rating: B+

Spontaneity rating: B-

Known casualties: 14 injured, 62 with permanent brain damage SCP-3281-A-j Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual writes the phrase [REDACTED BY AARS538] onto the surface of as many phone booths as possible.

Transmissability rating: B+

Spontaneity rating: C-

Known casualties: 3 injured, 44 with permanent brain damage SCP-3281-A-k Description of anomalous action: The afflicted individual collects and stacks [REDACTED BY AARS538] in a pattern resembling [REDACTED BY AARS538].

Transmissability rating: B-

Spontaneity rating: C

Known casualties: 2 injured, 113 with permanent brain damage

SCP-3281-T describes strains which carry a significant risk of severe outbreak or harm to human life. SCP-3281-T also includes any strains with abnormal pathology. All instances of SCP-3281-T are to be approached with lethal force.