I see, you're probably also somewhat familiar with how the French Ergot/LSD outbreak in 1951 somewhat inspired Romero's film "The Crazies".

Tell you what. I'll toss the SCP-mention in favor of a greater emphasis on the historical and (limited) literary mash-up, in combination with the greater Spanish-flu nearly wiping out a quarter of the human population due to the war hindering efforts of containment and vaccination. But it will fall on you to ensure the idea can still stand.

I'm also going to suggest that all players at least start-off as alive, and part of the containment/evacuation-efforts.