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5 Scientific Reasons a Zombie Apocalypse Could Actually Happen

By David Wong, TE Sloth October 29, 2007 3,528,119 views
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#3.
The Real Rage Virus

As seen in ...
28 Days Later

What is it?
In the movie, it was a virus that turned human beings into mindless killing machines. In real life, we have a series of brain disorders that do the same thing. They were never contagious, of course. Then, Mad Cow Disease came along. It attacks the cow's spinal cord and brain, turning it into a stumbling, mindless attack cow.

And, when humans eat the meat ...

How it can result in zombies:
When Mad Cow gets in humans, they call it Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Check out the symptoms:

  • Changes in gait (walking)
  • Hallucinations
  • Lack of coordination (for example, stumbling and falling)
  • Muscle twitching
  • Myoclonic jerks or seizures
  • Rapidly developing delirium or dementia

Sure, the disease is rare (though maybe not as rare as we think) and the afflicted aren't known to chase after people in murderous mobs. Yet.

But, it proves widespread brain infections of the Rage variety are just a matter of waiting for the right disease to come along.

Chances this could cause a zombie apocalypse:
If the whole sudden, mindless violence idea seems far-fetched, remember that you are just one brain chemical (serotonin) away from turning into a mindless killing machine (they've tested it by putting rats in Deathmatch-style cages and watching them turn on each other). All it would take is a disease that destroys the brain's ability to absorb that one chemical and suddenly it's a real-world 28 Days Later.

So, imagine such an evolved disease, which we'll call Super Mad Cow (or, Madder Cow) getting a foothold through the food supply. Say this disease spreads through blood-on-blood contact, or saliva-on-blood contact. Now you have a Rage-type virus that can be transmitted with a bite.

Just like the movie. With one bite, you're suddenly the worst kind of zombie:

A fast zombie.

ive always wondered why in zombie movies the people just dont hid behind a door you have to pull to open. no zomvie is ever going to stop and pull open a door.

7/1/2009 9:48:57 PM
DEspot

Man, Cracked you let me down. I thought you would have atleast one probable scenario. but instead you cited a fiction science page.

6/26/2009 9:54:15 PM
Millroots

Zombies are overrated.

6/23/2009 8:16:42 PM
brutaltitfight

i cant wait till the DAY WHEN IM IN THE ARMY AND I GO ON A MISSION AND A GET A BRIFE THAT SAYS KILL THOSE MOTHER FU=CKING ZOMBIES OH THAT WILL BE THE DAY

6/20/2009 3:03:00 PM
chriz

WAIT zombies kill humans so what will the zombies do when we all die out mabe they will get board to death that will show them

6/20/2009 2:59:53 PM
chriz

the safeiest place to go incanse of a zombie attack is the neariest millatry base the goverment will proably be useing hellacopters to transport people howeverthe the govermentis p***y if you are left alone baracade your house fine guns oce u have guns find food and when ever there are no zombies serch for sevivers

3 best wepones to use on a zombie
1 shot gun/rifel(best afective in the head)
2 MG16(rapid fire can will mutiple zombies)
3 flamethrower(dude its just plian awsome)

6/20/2009 2:48:21 PM
chriz

Maybe I hate comedy websites or people lightly enjoying a comedy website without being interrupted by persnickety assholes nitpicking facts on a piece about zombies, or maybe I'm just a miserable human being, but I think the Mad Cow/Creutzfeldt–Jakob part is a little over-kill.

Statistics from the CDC say that only 1 in one million people are infected each year with Creutzfeldt–Jakob's disease. Not really that much of a risk in my opinion.

However, from 1996 to 2004 only 139 people in the world have died from an odd VARIATION of Creutzfeldt–Jakob's disease that is called Mad Cow when it infects cows.

As far as we know the disease does not cross species barriers and cows cannot even catch it from other cows.

And there is no evidence that humans can get it from eating Mad Cow beef.

{I'm skeptical of your reference as it comes from an environmental group, the type of people who instigate environmental hysteria about things like global warming and nuclear energy, not exactly a group that works with infectious diseases, or science for that matter.}

6/19/2009 12:44:07 PM
Mahawk

The Happening blew dick. Biggest waste of $9 I ever spent at a theater.

6/13/2009 11:21:31 PM
Dj_Wafflz

oh.ps the safest place to be is a graveyard i know zombies can pop out but if your religest or looking to go on a killing spree go there but people always say its actuly good to stay in a graveyard becuase they are good spirits yah tell me that when your getting your head ripped off and how would a zombie react like what would it do would it eat other zombies or attack people or would it not attack and how would it live if it doesnt have a brain or heart an if the zombies organs dont work how does it live? so people who are scared there is only a 1/4 chance so dont be that worried thats only 25% so that means 75% it wont and i believe its possible and i would be some one who would get a sniper rifle lock my doors go to my room get out my window wre there is a cool balcony on the fron tof the house and when i run out of bullets i would go to my naibors becuase they have a big fence(sorry about spelling im only 13 but im smart and im athiest XD)

6/12/2009 12:28:42 PM
pinkhaloassasin

aaahhhh look the usa is already turning stupide(jk) when the zombie comes the goverment wont give a crap they will let us become zombies and use us ust for a cure just so they can live longer XD

6/12/2009 12:10:29 PM
pinkhaloassasin

OMG! so cant wait for this! hehehe.

6/12/2009 9:04:35 AM
Devilinaround

I read the full article linked and this case sounds more like the movie "The Happening"..rather than a zombie apocalypse. For those who haven't seen the movie its about an unknown force causing people to become thoughtless and kill themselves. In the case of toxoplasma whatcha call it' it causes rats to want to be consumed by their prey and ultimately die in order for the virus to thrive...this may be the lack of sleep talking...but what if those infected (if the parasite somehow evolves to affect humans in such a way) start feeding ourselves to a pack of lions? ..(also in the movie)..or find some other way to be eaten by animals to spread this thing...this probably sounds just as crazy as most of these comments but I couldn't help but notice the similarities....

6/11/2009 10:41:19 PM
shanfran

Insanely anti-climactic. I was really enjoying this up until it pretty much became a conspiracy website talking about how RFID chips are mind control.

6/7/2009 3:25:44 AM
b5200

Dang i believe this, it sucks for the people who are about 13 or born right now. i mean, if it happens in the next 20-40 years or so.

6/7/2009 12:57:24 AM
Arc

@missykitty8

Exactly. Watch the movie "Quarantine."

Eff that.

6/2/2009 2:24:37 PM
zachwoomer

Don't use the word scientific. This is pseudo-science at best.

5/30/2009 10:25:32 PM
findingemo

It's a silicon chip. Not a silicone chip. Silicone is used for implants.

5/30/2009 9:52:51 AM
microdude

I want the zombies to happen.

5/28/2009 2:19:41 PM
Canadia

what about rabies? the thinning ozone layer means viruses are exposed to more radiation.. causing them to mutate.
rabies can cause you to become extremely aggressive. you don't remember who you are, or anyone else. all you know is the pain & the rage. you froth at the mouth (spread through saliva) & it is spread through biting.
someone w/ rabies may not be undead, but they sure act like the undead. stumbling around, brainless, attacking & spreading disease through bites.
if the rabies virus mutates, our vaccine won't work anymore.. & we're FUCKED.

5/28/2009 7:55:28 AM
missykitty8

i dont think so zombies is just a folk tale if there is have zombies there is now extinction!!!!!!!!!!

5/28/2009 4:20:48 AM
gadwin251