DayZ Zombies, an attempt to diagnose the zed condition

[Death By Crowbar 1213]

So - about the zombie condition in DayZ...

 

My understanding is that Rocket has stated that these zeds are the "infected" type and not the "undead" type. Thus I've been trying to hypothesize about the nature of their condition, ultimately in the hopes of finding a cure and averting the apocalypse. It would seem the DayZ "zed condition" has commonalities with the following diseases or medical conditions (ganked off Wikipedia):

1. Rabies (/ˈreɪbiːz/; from Latin: rabies, "madness") is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals.^[1] The time period between contracting the disease and the start of symptoms is usually one to three months; however it can vary from less than one week to more than one year.^[1] The time is dependent on the distance the virus must travel to reach the central nervous system.^[2] Early symptoms may include fever and tingling at the site of exposure.^[1] This is then followed by either violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, and fear of water or an inability to move parts of the body and confusion followed by loss of consciousness.^[1] In both cases once symptoms appear it nearly always results in death.^[1] 
   ... this all makes sense and explains why they're so aggressive and don't seem to need to drink but will attack violently.
2. Osteoporosis ("porous bones", from Greek: οστούν/ostoun meaning "bone" and πόρος/poros meaning "pore") is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density which can lead to an increased risk of fracture.
   ... this explains why they die falling down hills so easily
3. Tourette syndrome (also called Tourette's syndrome, Tourette's disorder, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTSor, more commonly, simply Tourette's or TS) is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. These tics characteristically wax and wane, can be suppressed temporarily, and are preceded by a premonitory urge. Tourette's is defined as part of a spectrumof tic disorders, which includes provisional, transient and persistent (chronic) tics.
   ... this explains a lot of their noises and mannerisms.

​In conclusion, I argue that the infection is some sort of a rabies variant that has additional debilitating side effects that align with the ailments described above. Thoughts?

Edited July 18, 2014 by Death By Crowbar

[MadWookie 573]

Or maybe their just Zombies....

[TomatoSupra 207]

I would assume they are going off of like the 28 Days later idea. its a virus, but its just pissing everyone off.

[Lithium1056 45]

In following various trends I think it's more likely a parasite. Recently quiet a few species of parasitic life forms have been found that override the Central Nervous system of the host, granted in these cases the host is killed and the parasite navigates with the host body, but it's not a stretch to see the possibility there

[Death By Crowbar 1213]

In following various trends I think it's more likely a parasite. Recently quiet a few species of parasitic life forms have been found that override the Central Nervous system of the host, granted in these cases the host is killed and the parasite navigates with the host body, but it's not a stretch to see the possibility there

You mean like the fungus that infects ants?

[rodolfoxiii 71]

Poor zombies have to deal with supermen humans.

[Lithium1056 45]

You mean like the fungus that infects ants?

yup just like that

[boneboys 7988]

Rockets brother is the key word, it's all about a spreading infection I believe.

[General Zod 1118]

You mean like the fungus that infects ants?

snip

The Last of Us much ?

Edited July 18, 2014 by General Zod

[Fear The Amish 40]

Rockets brother is the key word, it's all about a spreading infection I believe.

Isn't he a virologist?

 

Well based on the lack of any none infected and the how players don't become infected from contact...

 

1.) we can rule out rabies, it's main method of infection is via bite and the zombies don't bite they hit

 

2.) It has to be airborne. Reason we can think this is simple, the rate of infection which could wipe out this area leans towards airborne/waterborne but since it is a rural community waterborne is out of the question (most people rely on wells not a centralized water source).

 

3.) Because its airborne and survivors come into contact with zombies without becoming infected. We are carriers, this means the virus infects us but stays dormant. This allows the virus to have a higher rate of spread (people without obvious infection but carrying the dormant virus can move around infecting others without notice)

 

4.) Using the Vanilla mod for reference the incubation period is at least a week to several weeks. Reason for this line of logic is simple the body piles that can be found at Green Mountain, North of Elektro and in other area's. This shows us that there was enough of the population that were either not Zeds or in early stages of infection still capable of doing something with the bodies. If the incubation period was shorter the spread would have been insanly fast

 

5.) All of the above leads to two conclusions

• It is man made: It's infection rate is nuts possibly in the 90% range, closest naturally created is the Bubonic Plague which is only 40%. Also the incubation period, carrier dormancy, and several other factors means it was designed to spread and infect the highest possible number of people. This combination does not happen naturally.

 

• It was not released on purpose: Chenarus is a terrible target it is hemmed in by wilderness (lowering rate of spread as well as isolated) Also there were containment efforts on the military's part, while these were unsuccessful for a test environment it makes no sense to attemp containment efforts.

In conclusion it is virus/fungal, it's infection vector is airborne, it lies dormant in 5-10% of the population, the incubation period is several weeks, No known virus is close (or antibodies would have a chance of forming at some point and fighting it).

Edited July 18, 2014 by Fear The Amish

[barnabus 1708]

Isn't he a virologist?

 

Well based on the lack of any none infected and the how players don't become infected from contact...

 

1.) we can rule out rabies, it's main method of infection is via bite and the zombies don't bite they hit

 

2.) It has to be airborne. Reason we can think this is simple, the rate of infection which could wipe out this area leans towards airborne/waterborne but since it is a rural community waterborne is out of the question (most people rely on wells not a centralized water source).

 

3.) Because its airborne and survivors come into contact with zombies without becoming infected. We are carriers, this means the virus infects us but stays dormant. This allows the virus to have a higher rate of spread (people without obvious infection but carrying the dormant virus can move around infecting others without notice)

 

4.) Using the Vanilla mod for reference the incubation period is at least a week to several weeks. Reason for this line of logic is simple the body piles that can be found at Green Mountain, North of Elektro and in other area's. This shows us that there was enough of the population that were either not Zeds or in early stages of infection still capable of doing something with the bodies. If the incubation period was shorter the spread would have been insanly fast

 

5.) All of the above leads to two conclusions

• It is man made: It's infection rate is nuts possibly in the 90% range, closest naturally created is the Bubonic Plague which is only 40%. Also the incubation period, carrier dormancy, and several other factors means it was designed to spread and infect the highest possible number of people. This combination does not happen naturally.

 

• It was not released on purpose: Chenarus is a terrible target it is hemmed in by wilderness (lowering rate of spread as well as isolated) Also there were containment efforts on the military's part, while these were unsuccessful for a test environment it makes no sense to attemp containment efforts.

In conclusion it is virus/fungal, it's infection vector is airborne, it lies dormant in 5-10% of the population, the incubation period is several weeks, No known virus is close (or antibodies would have a chance of forming at some point and fighting it).

I believe that you are mostly correct, however, I am fairly sure that it is in the cards that it will be possible to become sick and maybe even infected in the future, they just haven't got that far yet..

[mercules 1290]

Here is an old discussion on this topic.

The Rage virus is based off Ebola. Ebola and Rabies both create edema in the brain which is what creates disorientation in the victims. The movie Quarantine used a genetically modified Rabies that was extremely fast acting. 


The theory behind a possible outbreak of a "zombie" plague is that something like Rabies if mutated could cause symptoms that make people aggressive, phobic and easily agitated, and given a strong urge to bite. Such individuals would be less affected by pain and so able to shrug off non-lethal damage. It is theoretically possible although extremely unlikely. 

[mercules 1290]

I believe that you are mostly correct, however, I am fairly sure that it is in the cards that it will be possible to become sick and maybe even infected in the future, they just haven't got that far yet..

 

Yes, but being immune to small  pox doesn't change my chances of getting the common cold or influenza. We, the survivors, are immune to the specific strain of virus that has turned the rest of the population into "zombie"-ish automatons. If we get infected it is bacterial from drinking poor water or cuts, viral such as colds/flus, or fungal, but it is not that specific virus.

[TiggyPooh 134]

In the movies it is often a man made virus that is programmed to genetically enhance humans into super soldiers that went terribly out of control. 

Take the TV series Helix as an example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helix_(TV_series)

[Combine (DayZ) 247]

Maybe we should also consider how much time may have passed (only rough, not very precise): By default (unless there's a unique story for a group or on a server and where people hold specific areas free of zeds - manually) all of Chernarus is overrun; any urban center and little village or other place is abandoned. The place is a total loss or close to it, depending on how you spin it.

 

On the other hand, there are other implications not on how much but rather how little time has passed, in context. Implied by loot, amount or existence of infected and how things look.

 

That roughly means: It is almost impossible that a long long long time passed since the outbreak there, such as many years. Chernarus simply does not look like it, including what can still be looted. Any "zombie population" would've perished, as we're talking about 'living' people, not your magic undead zombies. Then again it's not like a day or just a few days passed, as there would be more remnants and safe places left. Probably even if the Virus was as fast spreading as in the "28 XX later" universe.

 

We can therefore theorize that some time passed. Not a bit, not too much. That leaves the question: What about the infected? I imagine they'd starve to death or succumb to this virus eventually. Or any other logical result of their condition or behavior. In short: No matter what kind of condition it is exactly, the problem will sort itself out over time.

[jubeidok 495]

I want to know what motivates the zeds, what is their purpose, why do they attack us? It doesn't seem to be for food. They have never tried to bite me, and you never see them feasting on a conquered survivor(though they used to). Are they territorial? I don't think so. There have been times when I have been standing next to one that didn't seem to mind my presence, but other times when one from across an open field will notice me and be bothered by my presence. They may be territorial to a certain degree however, as they definitely don't like anything within their own personal space and have been known to attack wildlife that has wandered too close. Is it rage, as in the 28 Days Later universe? I don't think it's that either. The times that I have been attacked, they seemed quite casual in their approach and quite willing to stand there and trade blows with me at a pretty calming pace.

 

So what is it they want? If we can figure that out then maybe we can find a way to control them.

[Fear The Amish 40]

Here is an old discussion on this topic.

The Rage virus is based off Ebola. Ebola and Rabies both create edema in the brain which is what creates disorientation in the victims. The movie Quarantine used a genetically modified Rabies that was extremely fast acting. 

The theory behind a possible outbreak of a "zombie" plague is that something like Rabies if mutated could cause symptoms that make people aggressive, phobic and easily agitated, and given a strong urge to bite. Such individuals would be less affected by pain and so able to shrug off non-lethal damage. It is theoretically possible although extremely unlikely. 

 

I really really really don't like the zombie = Rabies thing. Spreading infections based on biting for rabies, and body fluids with Ebola is a terrible infection vector (reason we don't have rabies/ebola outbreaks all over). There are so many more real and and terrifying options when you consider a Airborne fungal infection, or a parasitic one that is Waterborne. Both could lead to the same results but could actually plausibly spread. Also they are already common in nature, the other option is Retroviruses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrovirus). With proper mutation you have the possibility of an airborne spreadable virus that could cause similar effects. There was a Dean Coontz book called Seize the Night that works on this theory. While it didn't have zombies it did have people heavily effected by a Retrovirus becoming Easily agitated, hostile, irrational, as well as animals effected.

[barnabus 1708]

Well, there is a whole heck of a lot more to be done to the backstory.  Why are there no police or military roadblocks?  Where are the mass graves?  How come we have not seen the spontaneous memorial walls and bulletin boards asking if you have seen this or that person?  No directions to loved ones to meet here or there.  No one, in all of Chernarus, it would appear so far, made any attempt to reinforce their home to shelter in place.  

[Lithium1056 45]

Outside NWAF is the only thing I've encountered remotely resembling a grave.

I'd support man made, also Chernerus is a perfect test zone for all the reasons it's a Terrible target. Also I assumed it was world wide epidemic scale.

The 28dayz later theory makes sense.

[Cap'n (DayZ) 1827]

The disease itself is a Prion based one, proteins inside your brain being corrupted by a viral infection. It was confirmed by Rocket a while ago, wish I could find the post.

 

I'd assume that the zombies are just blatant expies of the 28 Days variant, but I like that. That movie scared the shit out of me.

[q.S Sachiel 470]

cordiceps is an interesting one, very specialised to species...

Aside from the gruesome and rather horiffic reality of the fungi's reproductive path, it's almost beautiful, artistic the way those hosts burst open with life... But im a fan of mycology, guess you could say it really knots me up inside... :)

 

There's some other parasite out there, a worm i recall - it infects the host and influences the brain in a way that makes it seem as if the worm is 'going fishing'

using the host as the bait and transport, a host is consumed and the worm transferred up the food chain.  Each time the host becomes an attractive meal to something larger than the last.

In this fashion, it's hunting the predator, as the stronger carnivore must kill the host and consume its flesh for transmission.

 

But the Z virus does not choose, all are succeptible!

Edited July 19, 2014 by q.S Sachiel

[mercules 1290]

I really really really don't like the zombie = Rabies thing. Spreading infections based on biting for rabies, and body fluids with Ebola is a terrible infection vector (reason we don't have rabies/ebola outbreaks all over). There are so many more real and and terrifying options when you consider a Airborne fungal infection, or a parasitic one that is Waterborne. Both could lead to the same results but could actually plausibly spread. Also they are already common in nature, the other option is Retroviruses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrovirus). With proper mutation you have the possibility of an airborne spreadable virus that could cause similar effects. There was a Dean Coontz book called Seize the Night that works on this theory. While it didn't have zombies it did have people heavily effected by a Retrovirus becoming Easily agitated, hostile, irrational, as well as animals effected.

You realize Rabies could possibly go airborne. In doing so it would not lose it's imperative to bite over night as that would be a different genetic mutation that would only slowly be weeded out as no longer being evolutionary necessary to spread.

The main reason people did theorize about Rabies being a possible "Zombie" virus is that people infected with Rabies fit many of what people consider "zombie traits".

[mercules 1290]

There's some other parasite out there, a worm i recall - it infects the host and influences the brain in a way that makes it seem as if the worm is 'going fishing'

Toxoplasmosis is another interesting one. Basically it is a protozoan that infects any warmblooded mammal. It's normal life cycle though is in Cats and Mice. When the rodent is infected it starts to behave differently. It goes into dangerous areas where there is cat scent, or out into the open. In this way it gets eaten by the cat where the protozoan can continue it's next cycle.

Nearly 1/3 of the human population today is infected with it. It is mostly harmless but recently researchers have started studying possible links between this and "risky behavior". They believe that it might suppress our self preservation parts of our mind and cause people to act differently than they would otherwise. It too causes encephalitis in some cases.

So Rabies, Ebola, Toxoplamosis, and many other possible behavior altering diseases cause encephalitis. So if there ever is a Zombie virus I am sure it will do so as well.

[q.S Sachiel 470]

How is rabies able to go airborne? 

Despite the whole 'living dead' or 'reanimated corpses' bit, I always thought the best part (most successful) of the zombie virus was that it doesn't 'kill' it's victim.

Ebola, Rabies... very spectacular symptoms but far too quick to kill.

 

I'm thinking more cancer/radical cell mutations which allow the host to 'live' for an indefinite time, impervious to pain etc.  Something like this may also explain the human-specific trait of the zombie virus in most fiction, save for maybe chimps in 28 days.

 

Always loved though, how zombies are 'superhuman' in most movies/books.  You'd think that if the virus is taking advantage of the available architecture (skeletal-muscular & nervous system) for motility/support, then the body would be just as fallable to blows to the neck etc which would cripple the structure (all this ignoring that the blood - hydraulic fluid for your muscles - has congealed, which should lead to a rather immobile host... 

 

I get that they don't feel pain etc, and that you can pump somone full of bullets then adrenaline and they get a few more minutes to squeeze out the red stuff, but physics goes out the window with zombies.  It's like cutting through the drive shaft of a car, putting in Nitrous and then expecting it to be a rocketship.  But hurrr fictions hurrr.

Edited July 20, 2014 by q.S Sachiel

[Lithium1056 45]

To a degree yes, IMO also with no time frame to refer to it's hard to determine the cause of the "decay" they all seem to suffer from other than it lets you know they are zeds