TLOU Tales – Episode 4: Living with the Living Dead

Back in 2020, I wrote a post on my blog, girlymicro, about how infection is portrayed in horror movies – specifically, how zombie apocalypses are represented and what you would actually need to consider when mapping your survival plan. I go through three different types of outbreak linked to infection, and given the recent popularity of The Last of Us TV adaptation, I thought I would explain these scenarios in a bit more depth.

So, here’s a rundown of how zombie outbreaks might differ based on the pathogen behind it…

Culprit: Bacteria

The first is a zombie outbreak linked to bacteria, where toxins are transmitted through a bite. This leads to the fastest form of transformation because the toxins can directly enter the body and immediately bind to tissues or cause behavior changes, rather than having to go through an “infectious” phase. Because you need to stop the zombie passing on the toxins produced, decapitation is the main way to control the outbreak. Toxin-related infection is mostly associated with things like food poisoning, where toxins can remain stable at room temperature, providing a long-term source and causing almost immediate symptom onset.

Culprit: Fungi

The second type of outbreak is linked to fungal outbreaks; specifically, this scenario is based on Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infection. Zombies produced by this type of infection are relatively slow because the fungal hyphae are both growing into and destroying the nervous system as a way to control the host – releasing molecules directly into the brain and spine. Transmission is airborne linked to the fungal growths and spores released, and the only way to destroy them is to incinerate them to ensure their nervous system is destroyed and the spores are inactivated.

Culprit: Virus

The third and final zombie is one based on a viral outbreak. These zombies transmit their infection via blood and bodily fluids and so contact precautions (or standard precautions) are required. They are speedy zombies because they are physically intact and infection onset is within a few hours as the virus starts to replicate in the host. They are also fairly easy to kill as they are hemorrhaging, but by removing limbs to stop their movement you increase your risk of exposure due to the blood produced. Behavior change is similar to those seen in rabies sufferers, such as a tendency to salivate and bite – increasing the transmission risk via this route.

Go forth and good luck!

The main takeaway for all three types of outbreak? Know your skills, know your escape route!  There are specific tropes in zombie movies, like characters not being able to escape because they get into cars and effectively sit in traffic while they get caught up in the carnage. The characters that survive also know that they have something to offer other survivors. I’m the most impractical person you will ever meet. I have no useful skills, but I aim to sell the fact that every zombie refuge will need a medical professional or scientist. (Also, I married a wonderful man who can make up for the skills I lack when it comes to bartering skill sets… Let’s hope we both survive.)

Read the previous articles in our TLOU Tales series here!

Episode 1: The Culprit of Humanity’s Downfall
Episode 2: The Devil Is in the Details
Episode 3: The Realities of The Last of Us