Buzz
Zombies aren't merely products of horror movies and games—they have roots in very real, terrifying diseases. The world is full of ways to turn yourself (or someone else) into the living dead. Whether it's a condition that makes you believe you're already deceased or a virus that reprograms you to attack your neighbors, this list covers it all. From insects like spiders and wasps to human diseases, we'll explore all the potential zombie origins in our world.
10. Cordyceps
Let’s kick things off with the one we all recognize—and the reason you're probably reading this. Cordyceps—The Last of Us’s infamous fungus. Officially called Ophiocordyceps, it drives those infected to wander aimlessly, their bodies completely controlled by the fungus. The ultimate mission of cordyceps is to find a suitable spot for reproduction.
But naturally, this is the infamous “zombie-ant fungus.” The parasitic fungus targets only carpenter ants, not humans, seizing control of their bodies while their minds remain disturbingly absent. At least, as far as we can tell. Eventually, the infected ant climbs a plant, bites down hard, and dies, leaving its body behind as a spawning ground for fungal spores to fall and doom the colony beneath.
What makes Cordyceps especially terrifying is its intelligence. Rather than destroying the ant’s brain, it envelops it, taking control of the host’s muscles and releasing chemicals to direct its actions. Once the ant has served its purpose, the fungus grows a stalk from the victim’s head, completing its life cycle in full zombie-like apocalyptic fashion.
Although there’s no evidence of Cordyceps infecting humans (yet), after The Last of Us, it has sparked countless nightmares and inspired an abundance of fan art. For now, we remain safe—but if you ever notice mushrooms sprouting from your friends' heads, shoot first and ask questions later.
9. Tongue-Eating Louse
Now, let’s dive into the lesser-known horrors. Meet the tongue-eating louse! A parasite that ensures you’re very cautious about your tongue. Found in fish, this tiny monster swims into its host’s mouth, attaches itself to the base of the tongue, and gradually cuts off the blood flow. The tongue decays and falls off, but don't worry—the louse is more than happy to take its place.
Now, the fish has a literal parasite running its mouth, using its body as a feeding vessel to consume whatever food comes its way. It doesn’t stop at a single meal, though; the louse flourishes, feeding off the fish’s mucus lining and laying eggs to further exploit the poor fish it has infested.
What’s even worse? There’s no remedy for the fish. Once the tongue is gone, the louse remains. The one redeeming—or horrifying—factor is that it doesn’t kill its host immediately, meaning it simply stays with it for the rest of its life.
What’s the matter? Louse got your tongue?
8. Zatypota Wasps
While many people dislike wasps, few realize that some are capable of mind control. Zatypota wasps, in particular, love to infest spiders. After depositing their eggs on the spider’s abdomen, the larvae attach themselves and begin feasting on the spider’s organs, essentially becoming one with the spider.
Eventually, the spider is overtaken by the wasp larvae and abandons its colony, weaving a bizarre, cocoon-like web. This cocoon will then serve as the spider’s prison for the remainder of its brief existence. Once the spider completes its web, the larvae devours its host while still alive, growing strong enough to break free from the spider’s ravaged body as a fully formed wasp. I’m getting The Thing and Alien flashbacks big time here.
The exact way the wasps control their hosts isn’t fully understood, but scientists believe hormones are at play, tricking the spider’s brain into thinking it's functioning normally (Link 3). This type of manipulation is more than just unsettling—it’s a horrifying concept. I might even be inspired to write a book based on it.
If this seems like something straight out of horror science fiction, I assure you it’s absolutely real. While Zatypota wasps only target spiders, it raises an intriguing question: If the wasps can dominate spiders, how long before someone starts experimenting with larger prey? Perhaps one day, an Asian giant hornet might pay us a visit…
7. Cortard’s Syndrome
Let’s now turn to human diseases.
“Walking Corpse Syndrome” is an extremely rare psychological disorder that blurs the boundary between life and death. Those affected are convinced they are dead, decaying, or missing vital organs, despite their bodies functioning normally. This delusion often results in extreme withdrawal from society and neglect of basic needs, such as eating or bathing. This lack of self-care reinforces their false beliefs, transforming their thoughts into a grim reality.
This condition can develop after severe trauma, mental illness, or neurological damage, particularly in the parietal lobe, which is responsible for processing sensory information and spatial awareness. What makes Cotard’s syndrome especially unsettling is how deeply it alters one’s perception of self. Some patients even insist on being taken to morgues, demanding autopsies to prove their “dead” state.
Take the first documented case of Cotard’s syndrome: the story of Ms. L.
Ms. L was convinced she had no brain, no nerves, no stomach, and no internal organs. Despite being fully alive and speaking with Dr. Cotard, she firmly believed she was physically dead. She also believed that because she was dead, there was no need for her to eat or drink. This belief led her to become severely malnourished, as she refused food, claiming it was useless for someone already deceased. But her delusions didn’t stop there.
She also believed she was immortal, as she thought death had already occurred. Eventually, her condition worsened to the point where she became bedridden, emaciated, and weak. Her family, deeply concerned, essentially forced her into a psychiatric ward for treatment (Link 5). After about a month of care, she was able to fully recover and return to a normal life.
While treatments such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or electroconvulsive therapy may help some individuals, like Ms. L, Cotard’s syndrome remains a unique zombie story, one where the zombies don’t always act aggressively—sometimes, they simply fade away in silence.
6. Leprosy
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, holds the distinction of being the first zombie-like virus recorded in history. We're talking about a disease that dates back to biblical times! While it’s infamous for disfiguring the skin and nerves, this bacterial infection doesn’t just mimic a rotten appearance—it actively causes it. Nowadays, it’s mostly found in hot, tropical regions of the world.
The disease can result in such severe nerve damage that victims lose sensation in their limbs, making them oblivious to injuries they might otherwise feel. A limb could fall off without them noticing, and they would just keep shuffling along. A burnt hand or stubbed toe? No big deal—until it’s too late and they can’t heal properly, requiring hospitalization. The official name? Mycobacterium leprae. It spreads through prolonged contact, especially through respiratory droplets. A cough or sneeze from someone infected can be more frightening than someone with tuberculosis.
Interestingly, leprosy can also transfer from armadillos to humans. That’s right—your local wildlife could hold the key to your undead transformation. Go out and start your own apocalypse today! However, the infection is slow-moving, with symptoms sometimes taking years to appear.
Thanks to modern medicine, multi-drug therapy can cure leprosy, and early treatment can prevent the worst effects. But historically and biblically, the disease turned its victims into outcasts, forcing them into colonies where the rumors of “rotting flesh” and their “zombie-like appearance” spread like wildfire.
5. Necrotizing Fasciitis
Let's continue with the disturbing theme of decaying flesh with necrotizing fasciitis, the infamous “flesh-eating disease.” It begins with something as minor as a cut or a scrape, but once the bacteria invade, they unleash toxins that destroy skin, fat, and even muscle tissue at an alarming rate. These bacteria are widespread and can affect anyone, anywhere—just a simple cut on your finger is enough. This is what makes it even more terrifying than leprosy.
This bacteria causes rapid, devastating decay throughout the body. In the most severe cases, doctors may be forced to amputate limbs to stop the infection from spreading further, and survivors are often left with visible scars. The bacteria responsible for this rapid destruction is Group A streptococcus, which can spread rapidly and flourish on the havoc it creates. Early medical intervention can save lives, but even when treated, victims may still carry permanent disfigurements.
In the event of a real-life zombie outbreak, this is the infection that could spread like wildfire, quickly sweeping across the globe in the blink of an eye.
4. Nodding Syndrome
Stepping away from the gruesome imagery of bodily decay, let's take a look at nodding syndrome, a neurological disorder that is unfortunately common in East Africa. The truly disturbing aspect of this condition is that it predominantly affects children as young as three. Nodding syndrome triggers uncontrollable head movements, seizures, and hindered mental and physical growth, often reducing its victims to a fragile, malnourished state. In some cases, their minds seem almost detached, making them resemble sleepwalkers in their behavior.
In addition to the stunted mental development, the disorder can also lead to erratic and hazardous behavior. There have been reports of children setting fires, wandering around aimlessly, and becoming completely lost and oblivious to their surroundings.
The cause of nodding syndrome remains elusive, though some believe it may be linked to Onchocerca volvulus, the parasitic worm responsible for river blindness. One theory posits that molecular mimicry is at play, where the immune system, in its attempt to combat the worm, ends up attacking healthy brain cells by mistake. This immune system malfunction leaves the brain in shambles, leaving affected children as hollow versions of themselves.
No cure has been discovered.
3. Rabies
Naturally, rabies claims the top spot. While Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may take much longer to end your life, making it a more plausible 'real zombie virus,' rabies fits the traditional zombie profile far better!
Rabies spreads through bites—just like zombies do. As it takes hold, your voice begins to sound less human. Aggression follows, and you start attacking people with the sole intention of biting them. Ready for hypersalivation, foaming at the mouth, and losing control of your movements with involuntary jerky actions? Those are just the beginning. The virus devours your brain bit by bit, which oddly aligns with zombies' notorious craving for brains.
And you thought it all happened in 2-14 days, right?
Actually, rabies can lay dormant inside the body for up to a year before it suddenly decides to strike! One case even saw the virus stay dormant for five years before taking the girl's life. Now, imagine a smarter strain of rabies that activates all at once. With no cure once symptoms appear, the world would likely descend into chaos in a matter of days.
But there’s a silver lining—one person survived rabies! Jeanne Giese-Frassetto made history in 2004 as the first person to overcome rabies without a vaccine and regain her life. So there’s hope! But based on Ellie’s fate in The Last of Us, I wouldn’t bet on anyone saving us. It's even crazier that Jeanne bears a striking resemblance to Ellie, too. Don’t believe me? Look it up, I dare you.
2. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
This is essentially the human variant of mad cow disease. A simple mistake in the folding of minuscule proteins in the brain leads to a deadly outcome. Victims face rapidly worsening dementia, hallucinations, involuntary movements, and eventual death—all within a year of the first symptoms appearing.
Consider the case of a 26-year-old woman, the first person diagnosed with human mad cow disease. She had a strong preference for meat—particularly raw meat. From this, you can probably guess how she contracted the disease.
This case emerged in November 2003, proving that this disease is still very real and transmissible today. The woman initially exhibited signs of anxiety and aggression, followed by memory loss. A few months later, she began having panic attacks and seeing hallucinations of animals. By September 2004, she had lost some motor function and developed involuntary jerky movements, while her vision started to deteriorate. By 2005, she had lost all motor function, became completely rigid, and was unable to see, though she still responded to sounds. She passed away in May.
Unfortunately, this disease has no cure. There’s no one who can help you.
1. Running Amok
It’s more than just an expression. Amok syndrome has been a recognized and documented condition since the early 15th century, particularly in Southeast Asia. The syndrome describes individuals—usually men—who suddenly engage in violent, uncontrolled attacks, indiscriminately harming people or animals. It’s as though a switch flips, transforming a calm individual into a force of chaos, much like Nemesis from Resident Evil.
In the past, amok episodes were often explained as demonic possession or the influence of supernatural entities like the hantu belian, a malevolent tiger spirit believed to take control of its victims. Today, psychologists interpret it as a combination of stress, mental illness, and cultural influences, often comparing it to a psychotic break. These episodes frequently end in exhaustion or even suicide, leading to a tragic end to the violent rampage.
The term comes from the Malay word “amuk,” which means “a violent attack.” Though rare, the frenzied, reckless behavior associated with it strongly resembles the modern image of rage zombies. If you’re in Southeast Asia and someone starts talking about tiger spirits, you might want to give them some space.
