The zombie outbreak grows

Officials have reported that at least five humans were being infected with the zombie virus each hour on Tuesday. 

Five zombies an hour. That's the rate at which the undead legions were growing at Utah State University as of Tuesday afternoon after the zombie virus began spreading on campus earlier in the morning.

In response to the outbreak students have started initiating different survival strategies.

“People are beginning to move in groups,” said Jake Bednar, a member of an anti-undead paramilitary group known as The Resistance. “Some groups have started carrying boxes filled with darts to protect themselves.”

In addition to fighting zombies with Nerf darts, which are toxic to the undead, a few people like Hannah Stallard are battling their attackers with sock bombs, which are also poisonous to zombies.

Stallard said, though, that avoidance and running are the best ways to stay alive. She specifically is avoiding the Taggart Student Center and is traveling alone to avoid drawing attention to herself.

“I don’t feel that threatened yet," Stallard said. "I’ve only seen two zombies in the safe zones and haven’t seen any walking to class.”

Stallard acknowledged, however, that as the week continues and more people are infected the threat will grow.

UnDeadline reporters Amanda Ahlman, Cassidy Stephens, Sara Bailey, Mitch Watkins, Robyn Van Valkenburg contributed to this report.

Humans successfully rescue their own.

Zombies at Utah State University appear to becoming even more hungry of human flesh.

A human trapped by zombies in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation building at Utah State University was rescued today by the anti-undead paramilitary organization The Resistance. 

Four zombies had the human cornered in the building at 6:30 p.m. After making a phone call, The Resistance organized a rescue squad of four humans.

“It was pretty intense," said Jacob Tibbitts, the squad commander. "We didn’t know where the zombies were going to be.”

The mission required the squad to travel from Mountain View Tower, a student housing complex, to the HPER building. 

Two squad members reportedly took a more dangerous route, which caused complications in the mission.

“We had to follow them so they didn’t get caught,” Tibbitts said.

The mission was successfully completed and all humans survived, but Kenneth Fryar-Ludwig of the League of Supernatural Nations said similar operations might not be as successful in the near future. 

“It is getting harder for the humans,” Fryar-Ludwig said. 

UnDeadline reporters Amanda Ahlman, Cassidy Stephens, Mitch Watkins, Robyn Van Valkenburg and Sara Bailey contributed to this report.

‘Door crashing’ proves fatal for humans

A zombie waits for human prey on the campus of Utah State University on Tuesday.    

At 11:41 a.m. today, three zombies waited outside the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building on the Utah State University campus in what anti-zombie militia members are calling a "door crash."

The ambush proved fatal for Brandon Davis, who had been a key fighter for the humans during the early hours of the war against the undead.

The zombie army has been gaining in numbers on the strength of similarly planned attacks like the door crash, a tactical approach to infecting humans that entails a decoy. 

In such ambushes, zombies station themselves outside of a safe zone, act as if they are scared of the approaching human’s stun orbs and proclaim vocally that they won’t attack. As soon as the human is close enough to the entry of the building, an infected zombie runs out of the door and proceeds to being the gnawing of human flesh that spreads the undead virus. 

Acting as the distraction, zombie Kenzie Crapo waited for Davis to approach her. 

Crapo later said she had hoped to hold onto what she called a “beautiful life” prior to the attack that claimed her own mortal life. 

“I stayed up until one in the morning because I was so anxious," Crapo said. "I thought I would last longer than I did... now, I have helped kill three humans by being a decoy.”

At least 23 other humans had succumbed to the virus early Tuesday. Like the rest, Crapo said she now cannot resist her desire for human flesh.

Not all humans have resisted the plague.

James Kelmer voluntarily accepted the zombie virus as part of the initial outbreak. 

“I understood that the virus was inevitably going to take over the humans," Kelmer said. "I asked myself, ‘why should I fight for a losing team?’ So I didn’t bother running or hiding, I accepted my fate.” 

Kelmer expressed pride in his infection. 

“I have already killed five humans. As of right now, I am the Most Valuable Zombie,” he said.
Many zombies have begun treating the destruction of the human race as a sport and are awarding one another titles such as "MVZ."

The infected are staying connected and updated about the location of humans by use of text messaging and cell phones — a technological advantage some humans were not expecting, given the undead reputation for brainlessness.   

UnDeadline reporters Branson Smith, Bennett Purser, Mina Sayer, William Christensen, and Elisabeth Gee contributed to this report. 

Undead pack hunters claim human victim as outbreak spreads to Utah

Just hours into an undead outbreak at Utah State University on Tuesday, zombies had begun hunting in packs.

In what might be the first instance of a mass attack of the undead on a human victim in Utah since the last near apocalypse, a student was attacked by a hoard of zombies just outside the Taggart Student Center at Utah State University at 9:31 a.m. today.

The attack is a part of a nationwide zombie outbreak that has reached Logan, a college town in northern Utah about 18 miles south of the Idaho border.  

Officials have yet to release the identity of the victim. Survivors said it was a young woman. 

“I was in a state of shock, I wasn’t sure what had just happened or if I could believe it,” said Dallan Naumann, one of the survivors of the attack. “They came out of nowhere, so we all just sprinted for the nearest building. I turned around and there was the woman. One zombie bit her on the arm. Soon the rest swarmed her.”

Naumann said the student was soon undead herself. Survivors said she left the scene with the same pack of zombies that had taken her mortal life. 

“There was nothing I could do,” Naumann said. “All I could do was pray.”

A citizen militia calling itself Zombie Attack Prevention has assembled to fight what its members have termed "zombie terrorism." 

“It’s absolutely horrifying that these things are spreading everywhere,” ZAP member Casey Williams said. “My heart goes out to the student and her family. I only hope we can help prevent any other attacks from happening.”

Williams is advising fellow humans to stay indoors. Those who must venture outside should be ready to run, he said. Williams also advised humans to travel in groups and remain vigilant.

“We aren’t sure how widespread the outbreak is just yet," Williams said, "so everyone should be on the lookout.”

UnDeadline reporters Sarah Winder, Mandi West, Lindsey Snyder, Taylor Condie and Ron Matheson contributed to this report.

Citizens prepare for zombie outbreak

Society of Professional Journalists president Dave Cullier was among the recent victims of a zombie outbreak in New Orleans. Public safety officials in the Mountain West are now reporting an impending outbreak in the Utah.
Photo by Michael Koretzky.    

On Monday at 9 p.m., citizens gathered in preparation for the zombie apocalypse expected to hit Utah State University the following day. 

Kenneth Fryar-Ludwig of the League of Supernatural Nations, or LSN, addressed a concerned group of citizens who were preparing to fight off the zombie apocalypse in the morning. He instructed the group on the rules of engagement toward zombies and gave the assembled humans some advice:  

“Don’t be stupid,” Fryar-Ludwig said. “Don’t be a douchebag.” 

Footage was shown of a zombie attack on an undisclosed campus which confirmed speculation of an impending outbreak at USU’s campus. 

Human Gen. Jon Kuhl acknowledged the rumors of the zombie outbreak.

“We thought we dealt with them last year,” Kuhl said. “We thought we dealt with them the year before that, but apparently not.”   

Hayley Williams, a concerned student at USU, attended the meeting.

“I am stocking up on ammo and weapons, and I will be taking precautions to minimize exposure,” Williams said. 

Information was provided to the citizens regarding an unidentified Original Zombie, or OZ, that was expected to begin infecting citizens on campus Tuesday. The individual appears to be a human, but sources speculated the OZ would be the cause of the outbreak.

Officer Sutton Hanzalik of the USU Department of Public Safety gave citizens counsel on safety. 

“Don’t involve the innocent civilians,” Hanzalik said.

The LSN advised the militia to only use Nerf gun weapons in the evening in order to avoid innocent casualties. Polyester resin, one of the substances used to create Nerf projectiles, is toxic to zombies, according to the LSN.     

“Follow your orders, keep your ammo ready and never trust anyone,” Kuhl told his troops. 

Following the conclusion of the meeting at 9:47 p.m., citizens were given identification cards for safety and recognition purposes.

UnDeadline reporters Bradley Bair, Marley McClune, Morgan Jacobsen, Eliza Welsh and Jeff Dahdah contributed to this report. 

The war is over — now the healing begins

The raw flesh, where a hole had been on his cheek, serves as a reminder to John Kuhl of his time as a zombie.

“I see it every time I look in a mirror,” Kuhl said. “But I’m glad to be a human again.”

The zombie plague that ravaged Utah State University has been cured. But has the school fully recovered?

Friday morning, students woke to the destruction caused by the apocalypse. Blood covered the campus. Buildings and sidewalks were destroyed.

Recovery efforts have begun to repair the damages caused by the zombie invasion.

Every zombie has been cured by an antidote that was acquired by the human forces late Thursday night. Now that the zombies have healed physically, they now face the task of recovering mentally.

“I have memories of the people I have fed on,” Kuhl said. “It haunts me a little bit knowing that I have harmed humans, especially those whom I commanded as a human. It is hard to look them in the eyes.”

Although victorious, the humans have been affected by the zombie apocalypse and now are trying to forget the horrors they witnessed.

“Sometimes I thought that it would be nice to be a zombie,” said Dustin Christensen, who was never infected. “It took an emotional toll on me. It was almost like I had suicidal thoughts to become a zombie.”

“It’s a huge relief that I don’t have to worry for my life anymore,” Christensen said. “The peace of mind is the greatest thing I have right now.”

Bystanders are also happy to know the fighting has ended.

“The zombies were always running around campus chasing people,” said Jaslyn Brinkerhoff, a student at Utah State. “I’m relieved that it’s over now.”

During the final battle, the antidote was obtained by the human militia after fighting its way through the zombie horde.

“They got the antidote into the water system and vaporized the water,” Christensen said. “It caused the antidote to become airborne and it got into everyone’s system.”

“I have a feeling that another virus will break out soon,” Kuhl said. “I’ll be watching my back. I have a little bit of paranoia that there could still be a zombie walking around.”

UnDeadline reporters Bradley Wells, Hannah Romney, Christopher Farnes, Ronald Henline, Sarah Menlove contributed to this report.

Decomposing bodies, strewn across campus, pose new health risks

The war between zombies and humans is over, but at Utah State University the cleanup has just begun.

Stench from decomposing flesh filled the air on campus Friday. Infectious decaying corpses lay strewn across campus.

Wellness officials at Utah State University are concerned about the effects the war has had on public health and mental health.

The bacteria and viruses from the rotting flesh have already been spread to the inside of campus buildings according to Andrea Sinfield, a representative of Utah State’s student health center.

"You wouldn't want that infecting the food and The Hub and all these dining areas. We'd see fingers on the chairs and the tables," Sinfield said. "It would be a terrible thing to see that. Can you imagine a teacher spreading it to hundreds of students and just contaminating the whole school? It is an epidemic."

Officials are also concerned about the public’s mental state.

“Frankly it’s effecting their studies," Sinfield said. "We have lots of sleeping disorders and anxiety about these zombies and the stress is definitely taking a toll."

Student Ryan Adair said he doesn’t feel safe outside.

“Things have been crazy," Adair said. “It’s not a very pleasant sight to see.”

Campus health officials plan to clean and sanitize campus over the next week according to Celeste Rich, an employee of the student health center.

“We’re doing all we can,” Rich said. “It’s going to be a process to get things back to normal. We urge people to be patient and use caution.”

Hand sanitizer will be distributed to students and faculty as an additional preventative measure.

UnDeadline reporters Addison M.T. Hall, Blake DeVries, Brooklin Peterson, Kyle Heywood, Ryan Gudmunson and Tavin Stucki contributed to this report

Cache Valley zombies face an ultimatum – leave or starve

Leaves rustled across the deserted quad. Amidst the silence there was a faint cry. Something was struggling near Old Main. Its breath wheezed and its body lay mangled in the grass. It was dying. It hadn’t tasted human flesh in 48 hours.

Zombie students at Utah State University have been dropping dead this week as they've found it increasingly difficult to feed on human brains before their 48th hour of hunger expires. Their insatiable appetite for human flesh has diminished their food supply.

“We are getting worried because we are trying to figure out what we need to do to find food,” said Marlee Haywood, the Harbinger of Death. “Our numbers are starting to drop one by one and everyone is starving.”

Charlie Huenemann, a professor of philosophy at Utah State, said zombies need to find an alternative solution.

“What zombies should be worried about is what they’re going to do now,” Huenemann said. “They should think about farming humans, otherwise they’re going to run out of food and they’re going to die.”

The problem, Huenemann said, is that zombies lack the cognitive capabilities required to come up with the idea on their own — and he’s not going to tell them.

Scott DeBerard, a professor of psychology at Utah State, said it’s survival of the fittest. Zombies will have to hunt for food elsewhere in order to sustain their gluttonous appetites.

“They’re going to leave Cache Valley,” DeBerard said, “then go to Weber State — maybe even to the U.”

Jason Leiker, a professor of sociology at Utah State, agreed.

“I think they’re going to wander off campus,” Leiker said. “Hopefully they go south toward Ogden and not back up toward us. I’m not armed with enough Nerf pellets to defend myself.”

But Leiker added that zombie extinction is too good to be true.

“As a sociologist, I am confident in their abilities to survive and I don’t think they’re going away,” Leiker said. “Every year the zombies win and every year they sort of disappear. But they’ll come back in the spring when the weather turns nice.”
 

As it turns out, The Horde is planning to leave Utah State.

“We’re going to leave campus and find our food in other places,” Haywood said. “College kids tend to be the most tasty, so we’ll go to college campuses and spread infection as much as we can. We’ll kill off humans one by one until they are completely gone.”

UnDeadline reporters Lauren Petty, Madeline Millburn, Manda Perkins and Jisa Robinson contributed to this report. 

Lone soldier lives to tell the horrors of zombie war

Cameron Alpers sprinted into the Utah State University Junction at 9:25 p.m. Thursday night, out of breath and alone.

“I can’t believe I made it,” said Alpers, who wore only running shoes, red shorts and a large Texas flag draped over his shoulders. “My adrenalin is pumping.”

Out of 707 humans who began the war Alpers was the only survivor.

“I started the mission in a group of 14 humans,” Alpers said. “It was a sprint the entire way. I never stopped.”

Throughout the week, many humans had a strategy of staying together to defend against The Horde.

Plans changed on Thursday, though.

“It was every human for themselves tonight,” Alpers said. “You couldn’t worry about your friends. I did what I thought was best for myself.”

With blood dripping down his cheek from taking a gun to his face during the final battle, Alpers knew luck was on his side.

“Along the way I could hear human screams,” Alpers said. “I could hear The Horde crushing the human skulls as they gobbled up the brains.”

One of those screams came from James Merrill, who started the night in the same human group as Alpers.

“I was running right next to Cameron in the shadows by The University Inn,” Merrill said. “The next thing I know I am on the ground getting eaten alive. It’s amazing Cameron made it through. I didn’t think anyone would.”

Alpers did his best to block out the horrific images he saw along the way.

“I am out of bullets, I have no grenades left but I made it,” Alpers said. “The zombies are brutal. They won’t give you anything. I had to earn this.”

Not even those who hunted him could deny the feat he had accomplished.

“He watched his friends die as he sprinted through hell,” said Omega, a zombie captain with bits of human flesh stuck in his teeth. “I give the guy mad props.”

Although Solomon, who previously was a human leader, was now part of The Horde, he couldn’t help but feel proud to see a former comrade survive.

“That kid is a stud. He rocked it going through,” said Solomon, who had oozing claw marks gashed in his face. “With that many zombies you have to be fast to make it and he was.”

While Alpers survived the battle, he realizes the war is far from over.

“I don’t know what is next. There’s no one left to fight and I am the only survivor,” Alpers said. “I am not going to live in fear anymore; it will be nice being able to walk around without being paranoid. But I’ll be back with reinforcements to make another stand.”

UnDeadline reporters Michael Royer, Becca Golver, Paul Christiansen, Jessica Wardell and Joseph Meadows contributed to this report. 

USU biologists find cause and treatment of zombie outbreak

Zombies aren’t zombies.

That’s the conclusion of biologists from Utah State University’s Institute for Antiviral Research, who held a press conference Friday morning in the Sunburst Lounge to announce the findings of research into the cause and treatment of the current zombie epidemic.

 "Zombies are a tragedy of unsolved medical questions," said USU professor Sarah Supp who has a PhD in biology. Her research reveals those infected are victims of a new super virus that causes symptoms similar to rabies and mirrors zombie characteristics.

 “When individuals come into contact with the zombie virus, their nervous system is overridden and suppressed in a coma-like state,” Supp said. “Essentially they become hollow shells controlled by the whims of the pathogen.”

 In order for a person to become infected, they must receive a massive dose of the virus. The virus is spread through contact with the bodily fluids of those who have already been infected.

“By biting their victims, zombies introduce the pathogen directly into the blood stream and bypass several parts of the human immune system,” Supp said. “Within minutes, the pathogen spreads throughout the body and begins taking over.”

Dale Barnard, a virologist from the IAR, said his research team has been working on a retroviral vaccine that is currently being used for emergency treatment of those infected by the zombie virus.

“After we developed an animal model to test the retrovirus, we began administering it to stunned zombies,” Barnard said. “It was a little slower than we expected because this was a new viral agent, but all signs point to a recovery to normal bodily and neural function.”

Once the infected individuals have been treated, the retroviral vaccine will be administered at the Student Health and Wellness Center and other local health institutions.

UnDeadline reporters Erin Davies, Jonathan Larson, Kellianne Smith and Natalie Thatcher contributed to this report.