• Question: Is it possible to create a deadly virus that turns everyone into zombies?

    Asked by Mycornerofcrazy to Christie on 20 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Christie Waddington

      Christie Waddington answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      Technically, yes! There is actually a type of fungus (Ophiocordyceps) which infects a certain type of ant, turning it into a zombie. The fungus releases special mind-controlling chemicals, forcing the ant to climb to the top of plants/trees. Once the ant is high enough, the fungus grows a stalk, killing the ant and from this stalk its spores are released. These spores infect more ants and the cycle continues.

      http://www.livescience.com/47751-zombie-fungus-picky-about-ant-brains.html

      So similarly, a fungus or virus could infect humans and do the same thing if it released the right mind-controlling chemicals. To date though, there are none that do so you don’t have to worry!

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