I thought I'd start of with something a little bit not-too-serious. Most of the internet has, is, or will discuss the advent of a zombie apocalypse. Whether you want it to happen or not, it pays to know what the most likely scenario is. Therefore, I'm going to start with a three-part mini-series on the risk of zombification. You know, just for fun...
SCENARIO 2: Infection by degenerative brain diseases, such as CJD.
Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease is
a degenerative brain disease in which proteins in the brian
'unfold' causing holes to form giving the brain a sponge-like
appearance. Often claimed to be related to BSE (although in
actuality it is vCJD which is) as they have similar effects, the
disease can be transmitted in certain forms through consumption of
contaminated meat. Other causes are hereditary, via implantation
of contaminated tissues, or appear spontaneously.
Symptoms of CJD begin
with agressive dementia, which can cause hallucinations, memory
loss and personality disorders. It can also lead to physical
disorders such as speech impediments, motor problems, and
seizures.
The disease is fatal, but
the length of time a victim survives can vary greatly. Typically
victims will sucumb within six months, often due to additional
medical complications, rather than the disease. Certain forms,
such as sCJD, can cause death within a few weeks.[1]
The
disease is most prevalent in North America, Western Europe (including
the UK), The Middle East and Japan, and typically it's areas of
contamination overlap those of BSE.
RISK:
At the moment, there is little chance of a typical zombie outbreak
caused by CJD, it's variants, or BSE. There is little evidence to
show that aggression is an effect of the disease (even though
personality changes are observed), which would be a necessity for
an apocalypse scenario. Whilst there is a link between cannibals
and CJD (called Kuru) there is no proven link in the opposite
direction. Furthermore, there is a small infection rate, and major
areas of the planet (Russia, Africa, South America) are all almost
exempt from infection. If the disease were to advance to a point
where a large portion of the population were infected, a "slow
zombie" scenario may evolve.
Will
it Zombies? No.
Total risk:
2/5
[1]Gambetti,
Pierluigi: Creutzfeldt Jakob disease.
* Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. "CJD
(Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Classic)". 26/2/2008
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