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| Scientists believe they might have found a cure to the zombie epidemic. |
The cause of Utah State University’s zombie outbreak, which began Tuesday, has been determined. A parasite which inhabits the brains of humans was found in several different individuals serving as hosts.
This parasite, which is the first of its kind and is not yet named, mutated from the 2012 form which infected students on Utah State’s campus for more than four days.
Those who have not been touched by zombies are safe as long as they avoid direct contact. Zombies can be easily identified by their orange headbands and rotting flesh.
“This parasite effectively enters the bloodstream and it can completely alter the brain synapse and the neurotransmitters,” said Sofia Origanti, a molecular biologist instrumental in determining the cause. “It has found a way to somehow get inside your brain.”
After effectively quarantining Cache Valley on Tuesday evening, scientists were able to tranquilize four zombies by shooting darts which cut off the brain from the circulatory system. This induced coma allowed blood samples to be obtained and organs examined.
The zombies remained tranquilized through the night for testing. During that time The results showed that these individuals previously thought to be undead are still living.
"You can't just walk around from point A to point B," said Edwin Antony, a biochemist who assisted in the examination of sample corpses. "You need some sort of energy to keep the body going."
The examinations showed that organs are not directly affected by the parasite but by hormones which come from the infected brain. Organs are not harmed, due to the parasitic nature of requiring a healthy host.
Antony said that there is hope that the infected can be treated and return to normalcy.
"Because they can be cured we have to make sure that we sedate them, quarantine them and then slowly work on rehabilitation," Antony said. "But we can kill the parasite. Parasites work differently than humans so you can definitely develop drugs for it really quickly."
Vaccines will be available upon request at the Registrar’s Office on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center starting Friday morning. Two different treatment procedures for the infected are still in development.
UnDeadline reporters Scott Hall, Caroline Peterson, Itzel Leon, Kris Hyde, Madison Maners, Stacey Worster contributed to this report
