Our team has been working to train people for the coming Zombie Apocalypse through tools and tips learned in their various fields of expertise. We expect to give you the same tools and training to ensure your one of the survivors, and not part of the undead plague.
By keeping up to date on the latest literature, tools, and training we plan to show you how to stay healthy and avoid becoming one of the undead horde that will pillage humanity. So check back with us on a regular basis to ensure you are prepared to survive the Zombie Apocalypse
Bacterial Zombies: A Disintegrating Threat
The Bacterial Zombie
Threat Level: Orange
Bacterial zombies are an interesting breed. Typically slower moving than almost all other zombie types, they are still considered an Orange Threat level due to the virulence of the strain.
While the strain itself is extremely communicable, the zombies themselves usually don’t last that long. Due to the way the bacteria works these zombies tend to fall apart rather quickly.
Identification
The bacterial zombies are another type that look almost exactly as expected. It is likely that Hollywood has taken their recent zombie creations directly from the bacterial zombie.
The most obvious feature of the bacterial zombie is the open flesh wounds and external bleeding that occurs. Yes, bacterial zombies do still bleed. It seems the bacteria consume the blood cells (white and red) leaving only the external lipid layers to ooze out. Additionally, the bacterial excrement is highly fluid allowing for still live cells to bleed out of the gashes and wounds that these zombies receive.
Wounds and gashes don’t heal on the bacterial zombies and will actually open further allowing fluids to pour out of them and gathering a crust of destroyed cell particles giving them a grey look. Fluids and blood also weep from the eyes, ears, mouth, and other orifices. The eyes will sink in and deflate eventually leaving the sockets completely hollow. (It is believed that these zombies retain their sense of smell. Research has determined that the inner ear deflates as well, though this is not outwardly visible.)
The bacteria responsible for zombification also eats away at the flesh as part of its own reproductive process. This causes the zombie to basically disintegrate over time as more bacteria grow and eat through their host. It also makes these zombies particularly identifiable as digits and limbs typically fall off over a short period of time (3-5 weeks.)
Spread
As with most other zombie types, spread of the bacterial zombie is through contact with infected bodily fluids. The bacteria do not need to come into contact with the bodily fluids from the uninfected to spread, through infection does occur faster when they do. Merely brushing up against an open wound on an infected corpse may pass the bacteria on. For this reason it is wise to carry antiseptic solutions or sanitizers when dealing with this zombie type.
Bacterial zombies are also biters, and the spread of the disease is usually carried out in this way. Once bitten the newly infected go into a short term coma as the bacteria spread into and take over the brain. If possible termination during this stage is the preferred method. Upon awaking from this coma the former human will begin to deteriorate over the next few months until the bacteria have eaten through the entire human body, excluding the bone.
Contact with the infected during any time may result in the spread of the bacteria. If you do happen upon these zombies and are touched by or touch one. Immediately wash the area with bleach or sanitizer. Bathing with soap, even anti-bacterial soap is not a guaranteed safety measure. Possible infectees should be placed into a locked area away from other humans and watched for 24 hours. If the disease does not take over the body in this time it won’t.
Termination
The safest way to terminate the bacterial zombie is just to leave them alone. The bacteria will consume the entire human body in a little over 4 months leaving nothing but bone. After a few days without any food source those bones will be safe for handling (though burning is still recommended.)
If you are being attacked, however, decapitation is the easiest way to stop them. Once the brain stem is detached, the bacterial zombie will stop attacking. The head and the body itself remain dangerous, but acid, fire, and even a tub full of bleach can address that.
Decapitation is also easier on this zombie type, as the bacteria eat through the muscle tissue weakening the neck and reducing the amount of flesh needing to be torn or cut apart. Destroying or breaking limbs and tearing the muscle along the limbs is another way to slow these zombies down, but it is a dangerous method as there is a higher possibility of splatter.
Summary
While not the most dangerous zombie type out there, it is wise to beware of the bacterial zombie. Carry plenty of bleach and make sure you have gasoline and fire starters around when an outbreak occurs.
Photo Credits: AJC1, cesarharada
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There seems to be a great deal of confusion on whether or not zombies will attack animals, and if they do, will those animals become infected, simply die, or go on with their lives. As this video shows, some types of zombies will indeed attack animals that enter their vicinity, but this is not always the case.
Some types of zombies will indeed attack an animal, though those same types will typically attack any warm or moving object. Some types of zombies will only attack certain types of animals (e.g., mammals but not lizards,) and some types of zombies will only go after a human being.
To make this a little more straightforward we have come up with the following lists to help you in knowing whether or not your family pets are safe.
Zombies that Will Attack Animals:
Zombies that Will Only Attack Humans
- Chemical Zombies
- Nano-Zombies
- Techno-Zombies
- Other Miscellaneous
To understand how to identify each type of zombie, please click on the links above and review the various articles. This will advise you on how to identify your zombies, and find out whether they are a threat to only you, or if you need to protect your pets as well.
One important item to note when reviewing the articles, not all zombie types can be spread to your animals. So while you may want to protect Spot from being eaten, if he does get bitten, you do not necessarily need to put him out of his misery.
If your pet/horse/cow/sheep does receive a bite, and you are unsure what type of zombie you have encountered, the safest option is to put the animal down. We understand that this is difficult (nigh on impossible for some.) We are pet owners and animal lovers ourselves, and to have to put down your own animal is one of the most difficult decisions one can make, even if it isn’t due to an infected bite from a zombie.
That said, the infected pet is no longer the loving, caring creature you have shared time and adventures with. If not now, then soon it will turn into a vicious, ravenous creature with only your death in mind.
If you cannot bring yourself to put your pet down, and you have not been able to identify the type of zombie bite it has received, you have two options.
- Have an acquaintance do the dirty work for you. Do NOT let a friend do it. It will ruin your relationship completely. You will always question your decision, and if a friend has to put down your beloved pet, you will forever look at them with that question, and that anger. Make sure the person you ask is someone you either don’t like, or don’t have a close connection with. It will change your relationship with them as well, but it’s less likely to ruin a friendship. Ironically, it may even lead to a stronger connection with that person.
- Lock the possibly infected animal up and monitor it over the course of several days. An infection that can spread to an animal will show its signs within 72-120 hours (three to five days.) If your pet is still its same old self after that time, you can consider yourself reasonably safe and release them.
NOTE: We cannot stress enough how dangerous, and frankly stupid this option is. Primarily, keeping a potentially infected animal locked up for up to a week can cause issues of its own. What if you have to move because of a coming horde? What about the animals natural biological processes and the necessary cleanup? Where can you keep a horse locked up that where you can guarantee it won’t escape, break free, etc.?
Additionally, there is no guarantee that even after five, ten, or even 100 days that your pet is guaranteed infection free. All creatures have different resistances to infections. Your chihuahua may be naturally immune to the zombie bacteria, but can still pass it on if he bites you. The only way to guarantee your safety from your pet is to put it down, no matter how difficult the decision.
To be blunt, it’s you or them. In a war against the zombification of all humanity your pet may become collateral damage. It’s sad, it’s difficult to come to terms with, it’s your only guarantee for safety.
In the war against zombies, animals are often caught in the middle. Many people are forced to abandon their pets when they go on the run. Even more are turned and have no recollection of their family and friends, much less their pets.
While some animals are trained to help humanity against the zombie threats, many are left to fend for themselves and have been known to become a danger in themselves. Feral packs of both dogs, cats, and even escaped zoo animals have been known to roam urban wastelands after an outbreak.
For these reasons, we recommend that if you are a pet owner and you realize that an outbreak is occurring, please do something about your pets. They will not likely be able to make it through the outbreak alive, and may even become a danger to you and your survival group. We know it’s difficult, but it may become necessary.
Video Credit: VideoSlave
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