Dragon Pox[1] is a potentially fatal contagious disease that occurs in wizards and witches. Its symptoms are presumably similar to Muggle illnesses like smallpox and chicken pox. However, in addition to leaving the victim's skin pockmarked, dragon pox causes a lasting greenish tinge.[2] Simpler cases present with a green-and-purple rash between the toes and sparks coming out of the nostrils when the patient sneezes.[3]
The first cases of Dragon Pox were wizards working closely with Peruvian Vipertooths;[4] the first person known to have died from dragon pox was Chauncey Oldridge in 1379.[5] Two centuries earlier, in the 1100s, Gunhilda Kneen was recorded as having to forgo playing Chaser in a Quidditch match when she came down with a "touch" of the sickness.[6]
Gunhilda of Gorsemoor developed a cure for dragon pox,[7] but the disease has not been completely eradicated, as it is still treated by the Magical Bugs ward at St Mungo's.[8] Perhaps to address this, Albus Dumbledore possibly worked on his own version of the cure around 1991.[9] Elphias Doge got dragon pox shortly before he started at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in September 1892.[2]
Elderly patients are apparently more susceptible to dragon pox than younger ones. Eldritch Diggory died of it in 1747,[10] as did Abraxas Malfoy,[11] Fleamont Potter, and Euphemia Potter, as recently as the second half of the 20th century.
The Moldovan National Quidditch team could not participate in the 2014 Quidditch World Cup due to an outbreak of Dragon Pox at their training camp, leaving their supporters devastated.[1]
Known sufferers
- Howland Coopey
- Eldritch Diggory
- Gunhilda Kneen
- Abraxas Malfoy
- Goldstein sisters' mother
- Goldstein sisters' father
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Mentioned only)
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Mentioned only)
- Quidditch Through the Ages
- Pottermore
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pottermore - Quidditch World Cup 1990 - 2014 (Archived)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 2 (In Memoriam)
- ↑ Daily Prophet Newsletters
- ↑ Pottermore
- ↑ Famous Wizard Card (Chauncey Oldridge)
- ↑ Quidditch Through the Ages
- ↑ Famous Wizard Card (Gunhilda of Gorsemoor)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 22 (St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries)
- ↑ Pottermore
- ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ministers for Magic" at Pottermore
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 9 (The Half-Blood Prince)