• Question: Can a zombie virus actually be caused in this day and age?

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      Asked by amber to Matthew, Louise, Conor, Brian, Aoife on 14 Nov 2016.
      • Photo: Louise Mc Grath

        Louise Mc Grath answered on 14 Nov 2016:

        Hi 652newg36!

        Would you actually believe that there are parasites and fungi out there that can cause a zombie like state in some insects? Well there is such a thing as zombie ants, the ants are taken over by a parasitic fungus! There is a video about it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2irXpAMBHkE.
        This has happened in snails too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go_LIz7kTok.

        So there are examples of zombies, however I hope the parasites don’t try and infect us, as I don’t think I would last very long with zombies around the place.. Call of duty zombies is scary enough!!

      • Photo: Matthew Kitching

        Matthew Kitching answered on 15 Nov 2016:

        Hi 652newg36

        Louise’s answer is awesome! Ophiocordyceps unilateral – the fungus louise is talking about is a super creepy fungus! I hope it doesn’t work out how to take over people!

        Another disease that can affect people is called Rabies – and its caused by a virus. It makes people and animals aggressive and confused – animals will bite people (which passes the virus to people)!

        Both of these things though (the fungus and the virus) don’t reanimate the dead – just change the behaviour of the living!

        hope this answers your question – let me know if you want to know more 🙂

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