Just for Fun: Surviving a viral-induced zombie apocalypse – Part 2

Cara N. Wilder, Ph.D.

Below is the second entry of the journal we found in an old decrepit lab that was used during the “zombie” outbreak of 2035. Though the journal is decades old, we managed to preserve the entries so that they can be shared with the world.

(Note: this is a fictional story that is meant for fun, it is not a real story, there is no zombie apocalypse)

Photo Provider: CDC

November, 2035

For days we worked silently in the BSL3 zone, carefully handling the virus in Class III biosafety cabinets, working to isolate the contagion and discover its secrets. Over time, we found that the virus was similar to Rabies virus genotype 1, commonly found in carnivores and human rabies cases. Using ATCC^® VR-138™ and ATCC^® VR-137™ rabies strains as references, we found that the viral contagion had a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome, a bullet-like morphology, and affected the limbic and peripheral nervous systems similar to our standards. However, upon sequencing analysis, we found that though the virus was genotypically similar to rabies, there several mutational changes in the genomic material. After further examination, we discovered that these mutations resulted in more localized infections of amygdala, resulting in extreme agitation; the hippocampus, resulting is the loss of human memories; and the orbitofrontal cortex, resulting in the loss of cognitive decision making. These mutations also appeared to contribute to the lack of hydrophobia or paralysis commonly seen in rabies victims, thus allowing for the infected subjects to survive for longer time periods.

Using this data, we managed to develop a vaccine generated from the inactivated virus, which was confirmed to offer protection against the contagion. Since then, we’ve been working towards the production and distribution of the vaccine to reach people throughout the world. So far, we’ve managed to keep parts of Europe and Australia free from infection. I can only hope that one day we will be able to develop an antiviral therapy to save those that remain infected.

But until then, I can only leave this one piece advice; get vaccinated, and never stop running!

Just for Fun: Surviving a viral-induced zombie apocalypse – Part 1

Cara N. Wilder, Ph.D.

Here is an excerpt from a journal we found in the filing cabinets of an old decrepit lab that was used during the “zombie” outbreak of 2035. Though the journal is decades old, we managed to preserve the entries so that they can be shared with the world. Below is the first entry of the journal.

(Note: this is a fictional story that is meant for fun, it is not a real story, there is no zombie apocalypse)

October, 2035

It is amazing that any of us survived this past year. So many lost their faith, calling this the reckoning or the end of days, others believed it was a zombie apocalypse like in the movies. Only a few of us saw the situation for what it really was…. the worse viral outbreak the world has ever seen. If it wasn’t for the ingenuity and determination of a small group of scientists, I don’t know how much longer the human race would have survived.

Who would have believed that this literal hell on earth began with a dog? Looking back on old news reports, it seemed like a straight forward case of rabies; family dog runs away, gets rabies, comes home frothing at the mouth, bites one of its owners, then the man goes to the hospital for a rabies vaccination while the dog is put down. Quick fix, everyone stays healthy, right? But this wasn’t like a normal rabies infection, and the vaccine had no effect.

From what we’ve been able to put together, based on subsequent cases and eye witness reports, within 36 hours following the initial wound the man began to exhibit flu-like symptoms. By the 60 hour mark, he began to demonstrate fever, paranoia, agitation, and terror. After 72 hours post-infection, he was a monster. His eyes were severely blood shot, he foamed at the mouth; but it was his uncontrollable rage that was the most terrifying symptom. It was as if everything that had ever made him a conscious human being was gone; that there was nothing left but a crazed predator with only the basest of instincts. He was Subject Zero.

It was after Subject Zero became violent that things went from bad to worse. The outbreak began with Subject Zero’s family after he bit and tore at their flesh in a frenzied rage, transmitting the contagion through his infectious saliva. Those that managed to escape alive eventually became one of the infected, and in turn spread the virus like wildfire.

Photo Provider: CDC

I was among the scientists called upon to stop the spread of the virus. By that time, the east coast was already overrun, with the outbreak rapidly extending throughout the Midwest. The federal and local military forces were doing the best they could to quarantine the infected, but there were just too many of them.  Bodies of the infected and those who were attacked littered the streets; intense fear and the stench of blood permeated the air.

 It was our job to take samples from the infected to try to identify the virus in hopes of developing a vaccine and eventually some form of antiviral therapy. Because the virus presented as rabies in animals, and appeared to be transmitted by saliva, we hypothesized that the contagion was some form of mutated rabies virus that resulted in extreme symptoms in humans. We began our intellectual journey by gathering samples from some of the quarantined infected subjects. We donned our biological safety suits and entered the quarantine zone. It seemed cruel that the infected were chained down like common animals, writhing in pain; but it was the only way we could get samples without becoming infected ourselves. Following our acquisition of the samples, we quickly left the room and begin the viral identification process.

To be continued…..