Zombie Virus

Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that come in many shapes and sizes. Unfortunately viruses do not contain the necessary components needed to carry out the basic chemical reactions required for life. Because they can’t live on their own they infect host cells of other organisms to help them survive and reproduce. Like a parasite, viruses need to find ways to spread to new host cells in order to continue living. They have discovered many different ways to spread to new host organisms. The influenza virus transmits through a sneeze or a cough. Many have the ability to change the DNA of the host cell. Some viruses have even found ways to change the behavior of the host organisms.

Virus already exists

An extreme behavior change could drive a person mad. One might even desire to attack others on site. This would benefit the virus by allowing it to spread through a bit from the infected organize to the victim. It’s understandable that because they don’t have control of their desires and motives the infected would loose their gift of freewill in other words a form of zombification. Viruses have the devastating ability to spread very rapidly and can easily cause a human epidemic or a zombie apocalypse .

A similar virus already exists that produces very similar symptoms to the hypothetical one stated above. This virus is common in dogs and well known, the Rabies virus. “Rabies is a viral disease of warm blooded animals that occurs world wide, with significant human health significance due to its fatal nature. Various outbreaks have occurred in the United States in the last decade. Rabies is caused by an RNA virus belonging to the order Mononegavirales. All warm-blooded animals, including humans, are susceptible. When a wild animal is bitten by a rabid animal the virus enters the bloodstream, eventually spreading to the spinal cord and brain.

Clinical signs of rabies are quite variable, with a change in behavior being one of them more consistent findings. This behavior change can be as subtle as apprehension, or as extreme as biting in a normally friendly dog. Dogs might chew at the site they were bitten when they became infected, and can even maim themselves.

As the disease progresses dogs may show increased irritability, visciousness, excitability, and eating unusual objects, like wood. These dogs may hide in dark or quiet places, and will bite when provoked. Central nervous system signs like seizures will exhibit, and there may be paralysis prior to death.A phase of the disease causes paralysis of the muscles in the throat. This leads to excessive drooling and choking sounds due to an inability to swallow.”
( lbah.com )

Could a form of rabies be a future zombie virus? Viral warfare is another concern. In 1918 the infamous influenza virus was successful recreated in a lab . Today viral research is conducted in hundreds of laboratories around the world. It is not far fetched that modified viruses could be used as a weapon. If someone were to create a zombie virus and if it were to be released, a massive loss of life could be sustained before the virus is brought under control.