I've been trying to define exactly what a zombie virus does, so that I can clearly define what existing viruses might be capable of mutating into our worst case scenario.
Here is what I have so far:
It must be fatal
It must be able to infecting humans
It must be able to be transmitted between humans
It must be able to revive the dead
It may or may not be capable of infection on a global scale
:idea: At the moment, H5N1 appears to be a very likely candidate, and it has shown a capacity for mutation. It is also passed between avians via nasal secretions, feces, and saliva. It also has symptoms common to Influenza, something seen a lot in victims prior to death. :idea:
Any other ideas?
Bury deep, pile on the stones
Yet I will, dig up the bones
 |
hmmmm... ignoring the revivification criterion, there are a fair number of viruses that fit the bill - Ebola and west nile and the bugs for viral encephalitis come to mind off the top of my head. But it would have to be a pretty serious mutation to allow reanimation of dead tissue, something on the order of incorporating genes that allow for anaerobic metabolism and resparking the nervous system.
Edit - actually, I'm getting ahead of myself here; the viruses I listed may not easily spread from human to human in normal circumstances, although an infected going around biting others probably has a good chance of spreading it around...
The battle rages but they fight in vain
When all is done it must begin again
-"Freya", the Sword
H5N1 doesn't have much to do with the symptoms associated with the Z virus. It shares flu-like symptoms, but if we widen the requirements to that point then approximately ten million (conservative estimate) viral and bacterial infections fit the bill.
Our best bet is probably our old friend rabies.
- Almost invariably fatal if an infection is not prevented via vaccination.
- Moves through the body by infecting the peripheral nervous system.
- Spread by bites (!).
- Causes bizarre behavior in the infected.
Just add in reanimation and subtract the ability to vaccinate against it and voila, you've got zombies. Let's all pray this sucker never turns into a fast acting retrovirus.
Edit - actually, I'm getting ahead of myself here; the viruses I listed may not easily spread from human to human in normal circumstances, although an infected going around biting others probably has a good chance of spreading it around...
I was killin' zombies before it was cool.
Well, it can be anything major probably, if you look at a viral infection on a global scale it has a higher chance of mutation.
This whole bird flu stuff, if given the chance to spread, might just trigger an unlucky mutation, it shows some potential, regardless how slim the chance.
Maybe we should figure out WHY does the Zombie Virus allows a dead body to start moving again.
I have a few interesting theories.
If you look at World of Warcraft Zombies, they got infected by a disease, WHICH TRANSFORMED THEIR BODIES and that of an Undead. So basically, it didn't kill them. It was more like a nuclear radiation of some sort. That is why they have full intelligence and stuff. They're not stupid.
Then have a look at Resident Evil (Movies) Zombies. In Resident Evil 1, in the hive, some employees, well, most of them were transformed WoW (WoW = World of Warcraft) style. Others died and got revived. But since their deaths was recent, the virus could easily re-active th nervous system.
Then Look in Resident Evil Movie 2, Apocalypse. The scene in the cemetary had shown LONG DEAD ZOMBIES getting back from their graves. I don't know how they have been infected, but question yourself about it. Also, their nervous system was long inactive, how the hell could it be re-activated so easily? o_O
I believe this World's Zombies act by instinct to increase their numbers, bite humans, and stuff.
Is it in any way possible to consider not only the aspect of a viral contamination that results in zombies, but possibly something else that may result in zombieism? Maybe an electronic or electric trigger that can be used to reanimate bodies as well as basic parts of the mind that are responsible for minimal movement and thought processes? And in this case, is it possible that no one will be immune?
-"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear."
The reason have concluded it's a virus is because zombie-ism seems to be transmitted via body fluids from everything we know, and a virus or bloodborne pathogen is the most likely source. Assuming the nerological trigger is the cause, what is the spreading mechanism -- how does it go from one person to the next?
All that needs to be said is this: FIRE = BAD
I've been thinking about that for a little while these last days, and have come up with a theory.
First we know zombie are dead bodies. Their nervous system is still active due to minimal brain functions RE-ACTIVATION caused by the virus. That theory is supported by the fact we MUST DESTROY THE BRAIN or CUT THE HEAD in order to kill it, or in other words destroying the brain prevents further minimal functions and stops nervous system activity, and cutting the head cuts the brain from the nervous system, ending any activties.
IF HOWEVER, you destroyed the nervous system, the zombie brain would try to move/activate nervous system, but couldn't. Since it doesn't have a paralysed guy's intelligence, it wouldn't do anything. But still try to.
*I do not want to offend any people knowing deficients, that is simply a comparison that may make us understand the virus more*
Then I've asked myself: How could a virus reactivate a dead brain/nervous system.
I've thought about deficients, the really profound ones, like deep autist or mental disability, the worse deficience possible, sort of. They will have minimal brain fonction for body control, yet their dexterity isn't the best one. THEY ARE NOT ZOMBIES.
Then I thought about that deficient theory: Yeah, but they are alive, don't attack people.
And Zombies got minimal sense like smell (they smell blood) and that's it.
So I thought: We have to define what being alive means and the difference between: A full mentally sane human, a deficient, and a zombie and also defining how a virus could force the dead brain to reactive basic nervous system and smell fonctions.
Defining the difference between these 3 and defining how the virus act is the key to understand what zombiness is.
---------
And about the transmitting way: It's mostly like VIH/SIDA/HEPATITE.
I'm not certain what you mean by "deficient" -- I assume someone with a meantal disability to such a degree that they are unable to function in society. (I hate to sound preachy, but it's best to say "person with ..." versus make the disability their identity -- guh, I'm sorry to get that PC, but I figured I might make the distinction.
Assuming people with mental/neurological disabilities is what you mean with deficient, you will also be thinking about people who seem to be "brain dead" or in a coma.
I think on one level we all know what a zombie is -- we know they are very different from people who do not have higher brain functions. But if anyone has asked you what a zombie is, without referencing things non-zombie obsessed people know about, it's hard to define a zombie without resorting to "You know....'uunnnggg...'" with your arms in front of you. I think Lyinginbedmon did a good job here: http://www.zombieinitiative.org/node/115
All that needs to be said is this: FIRE = BAD
By Deficient I mean, yeah, someone with a deep mental disorder, most like deeply affected Autist.
But what I'm trying to do is understand how the hell does a dead body gets infected in a virus and starts getting back up.
We know that
Zombies are dead
Zombie Virus forces the brain to re-active the nervous system
However, for the brain to control the nervous system, the brain needs to be alive.
If the brain isn't alive, it cannot control the nervous system.
If someone is infected, what are the stages of transformation?
Some are:
1: Increased moments Aggressivness
2: Stops recognizing his friends/family and don't hesitate to bite
3: Bodily functions stopped? So the brain will die
If the Body basic functions stops, then the brain dies, and if the brain is dead, nothing can control the nervous system. Unless we shoot electricity directly into the body, which will make the dead body have spasms, the nevous system cannot be stimulated, MAINLY by brain functions.
The brain, to be alive, needs blood flow, oxygen, and the ''water he floats in'' must be there.
A zombie is dry.
That's why I believe Zombies can't exist. It's sad to me too. But eh, whaddya want?
----''
Their eating patterns are theorised to be a reflection on the requirements of the entity animating them. A virus that is capable of reactivating dead bodies would be required to activate the specific nodes in the rear of the brain, and would then need to maintain a constant power supply to allow the brain and body any functional capacity at all. The stomach is often the only organ left, and when removed the Z ceases to function soon after. This means that the virus uses the flesh of the living, and later of the body itself, which contains glucose and protein to fuel the muscles and brain as well as its own continued existence. The degradation of the brain between its death and reanimation may also be the cause of the limited mental capacity often seen. Memories from previous lives may be recoverable, but the Z would be hard pressed to put them to use or act upon them. ''----
Was on the message of the previous link.
Now look at this part
-------''
A virus that is capable of reactivating dead bodies would be required to activate the specific nodes in the rear of the brain, and would then need to maintain a constant power supply to allow the brain and body any functional capacity at all. The stomach is often the only organ left, and when removed the Z ceases to function soon after. This means that the virus uses the flesh of the living, and later of the body itself, which contains glucose and protein to fuel the muscles and brain as well as its own continued existence. ''-----
True, but proteins and glucose aren't the only needed things for the brain.
It needs blood flow and oxygen.
But then he says
------''
As the virus requires living cells to propagate itself, bodies that have been deceased to such a point that the blood has completely dried up or '' --------
Indeed. That may be right. But if something is alive enough to have living cells and enough blood flow to activate the brain, cutting an arm will make it bleed to death, while he may not sense it, he WILL bleed te death, and soon lose too much blood for continuous brain functions.
----''
They are particularly vulnerable in that their brain must be in communication with the rest of their bodies to be active. ''-----
False. Beeep. The brain must be in communication with the rest of their bodies so it COMMANDS the NERVOUS SYSTEM. We cut the head so the nervous system link to the brain gets... cut, thus ending the zombiness.
We destroy the brain so the link will also be terminated.
Now, as it's written in my signature.... I am not only preparing myself for a zombie attack, but any mondial crisis as Extratterestrials, Hell coming on earth, or Doomsday, or whatever mondial crisis, thus I'm gonna stay. I want to understand more that zombie virus and how it acts, how the body can move when dead.
i personally feel that the virus is not one that is going to "evolve" but one that is here and out with us today. millions of symptoms of viruses stay dormant inside cells up to generations, there is no reason that there is just something that everyone is missing. not to mention there could also be murders every single day where a zombie dies and everyone takes it for a simple murder. the threat is with us today, we all are just waiting for the day the threat breaks out into apocalypse and i personally cant wait.