The Strain

The strain is a specialized virus developed by medical scientists to cure a certain type of brain cancer. It is a DNA based virus in which it has a certain attachment sites in the host cells’ DNA. The theory behind the virus is that it would be designed to recognize the sites before and after the damage code in the cancer cells that made them replicate out of control and replace the damage sites with the proper sequence to repair it. And for awhile, it works. No more cancer. But now the virus is apart of the host’s DNA, slowly taking over. There is a lag time before the victim shows any signs of the infection. It attacks the brain, making the victim start to act irrationally as time progresses and the infection grows worse. Soon they lose all cognition and become full blown zombies.

The main transmission vector is through fluid-to-fluid contact. Meaning the swapping of any bodily fluids. Blood, saliva, sexual emissions, and even tainted water. If a zombie bites a person but does not break the skin then they are fine. There was no transfer of fluids. But if the skin was broken or there is an open cut then they are infected. Saliva-Blood transfer. Water sources can be dangerous if infected. If infected water gets into your eyes, or if you drink it, you will contract the virus. There are steps to take to prevent to be infected my bad water. The incubation period lasts about a week before serious signs start to show. During that time that person can actively spread the virus to others without their knowledge. This is possibly the most dangerous phase.

The virus does not fully infect animals. Instead animals who contract the virus become carriers. Like an animal with rabies, they can be a little unpredictable and easily irritated. The virus can be transmitted by eating the flesh of an animal that has not been properly prepared. Never ever attempt to eat the brains of an animal thought to be carrying the virus. If one has to eat an animal that has been infected, you must drain the animal of its blood. Then you must dry it out either with the use of salts or smoking. No fluids, no transfer. Mosquitoes are one of the few animals that can tell when something is contaminated. They will not feed on a person or animal that has contracted the virus. It is a good test to see if someone has gotten infected. They will not lay their eggs in contaminated water sources either. So if you come across a lake with no mosquitoes then the best bet is that it's not safe.

☣Stage 1: Incubation Phase: In the first stage of infection the victim shows no outward signs. During the early stage ‘the mosquito test’ will not work with the viral load being too small for the insect to detect. The virus is replicating inside the host during this ‘dormant’ phase. The victim is now a carrier and can still transmit the virus to another unknowingly through fluid-to-fluid contact.

☣Stage 2: Transmission Phase: The viral load has finally reached a high enough concentration for it to be affecting the victim. The mosquito test will start to work during this stage. During this phase the virus has taken hold of the host’s central nervous system and the host is showing signs of increased aggression. The virus wants to spread, by any means it can. Fighting, biting, anything that would cause cross transfer of fluids. Depending on the individual, they may still have some sense of self, but there is little they can do to stop from fully turning. They might be able to do one last good deed before they are completely lost.

☣Stage 3: Full Transition Phase : You are a zombie. Who ever you were before is completely gone. This is the stage where the hunger takes control. All the victim wants to do is bite and spread. It is not uncommon for them to start attacking their own for a short while. Zombies taste unpleasant to one another. The transition between stage 2 and 3 is where you get ’runners’. However, the are not permanent. During the begin stages of 3 the victim’s endorphins kick into overdrive, unable to feel pain. They will wear their bodies out in a day or two, ripping and tearing muscles. Then they will resemble shamblers. This is a good indication of how long they had been infected.

☣Stage 4: Dehydration Phase: The hunger is still there but is replaced by the feeling of intense thirst. By this stage the zombie has worn out its host body and it is extremely common that most of them in this phase to no longer be able to walk properly. These crawlers are drawn to water sources to quench their thirst. By doing so, they infect the water. New people can get infected by dirty water by bathing in it, getting it in their eyes, and drinking from it. Whole cities can get infected if the source has been contaminated by a crawler. Mosquitoes can tell if a water source has been infected. They will not lay their eggs in a contaminated water supply.

☣Ravagers: Not ‘true’ zombies yet. Depending on the individual's strength of will they can hold out longer before they completely turn. But its always the same. Their behavior starts to turn more violent as the virus demands to be spread.

☣Runners: During the transition of stages 2 and 3 will you get runners. They are a temporary phase going into the shambler type. Runners are an indication of someone fully turning. Typically the runner phase only lasts about a day or two before the zombie blows out its knees or tear muscles. They are fast and extremely dangerous.

☣Shamblers: The typical can’t move very fast, shuffling zombies. Easy to get around if there are just one or two of them but are super dangerous when they are in large groups. The bulk of this category of zombie are in stage 3, early stage 4.

☣Crawlers: Shamblers that are no longer able to walk. These zombies primary mode of transportation, as the name implies, is crawling. That may not sound very threatening but they can fit in small spaces, hide under cars, and other unexpected places. Though the most terrifying thing about crawlers is what they do. They are the primary reason why water supplies get contaminated.