Microbiologist Debunks The Last of Us’ Fungus Zombies

Microbiologist Debunks The Last of Us' Fungus Zombies

As a lifelong movie enthusiast who’s seen my fair share of zombie apocalypses on screen, I must say that the prospect of The Last of Us becoming a reality is one I can gladly live without. While the show’s unique take on the zombie genre was captivating and terrifying in equal measure, the idea of a fungus turning us into clickers is as far-fetched as Pedro Pascal playing a convincing grandpa (just kidding, that man can pull off anything!).

I’m afraid I must disappoint those of you who were hoping for a reality similar to the world portrayed in “The Last of Us.” A microbiologist has recently debunked the scientific basis that allows the show’s virus to exist. Unlike other zombie narratives, which often involve the dead rising from their graves or diseases causing an insatiable hunger for human brains, “The Last of Us” presents a unique perspective on its outbreak. In this series, a real-life fungus called Cordyceps has undergone mutation and can now infect humans, transforming them into aggressive corpses, eventually leading to the terrifying creatures known as clickers once their bodies are fully engulfed by the fungus.

In a conversation with WIRED, microbiologist Dan Buckley was questioned about the possibility of a zombie virus similar to the one portrayed in The Last of Us. While cordyceps is a real-life fungus, it’s extremely unlikely that it would ever infect humans. As Buckley put it, “The clickers you see with the fungus emerging from people’s heads, there’s not much to fret about unless you’re an insect.” Cordyceps only affects cold-blooded creatures such as insects and reptiles, since the fungus doesn’t survive in warm conditions.

“The Ophiocordyceps fungus infects many different kinds of insects, gets into their brain and then causes these insects to move in such a way that promotes the distribution of the fungus so that more ants will become zombies. But insects are cold-blooded. They’re very different from us. And so I wouldn’t think that this fungus is gonna infect people.”

Is it accurate to say that zombie movies such as “28 Days Later” portray real-world scenarios? As per Dan Buckley’s perspective, this film presents the most plausible representation of a zombie outbreak due to its basis on a genuine illness. Although the “Rage Virus” is fictional, viruses like rabies can produce similar symptoms in humans. Fortunately, we possess the means to prevent such outbreaks before finding ourselves wandering through an empty London, as portrayed by Cillian Murphy. Buckley expresses that:

If I were concerned about a potential zombie-like condition spreading among people, I’d be reminded of rabies instead. Rabies is transmitted through animal bites, and if left untreated or without proper vaccination, it can infiltrate the brain, potentially causing aggressive behavior such as biting others. Essentially, we could say that there is a kind of “zombie infection,” but luckily, we have effective vaccines for it at the moment.

The Last of Us Season 2 Is Coming Soon

Microbiologist Debunks The Last of Us' Fungus Zombies

In real life, we might not encounter “The Last of Us,” thankfully, as it’s just a show, but our excitement for Pedro Pascal remains! HBO’s critically acclaimed adaptation is gearing up to grace our screens again soon. Production on season 2 has been completed, and it has officially been announced that we can expect its release in the early part of 2025.

In Season 2, Bella Ramsay and Pedro Pascal reappear in the desolate landscape. Newcomers Isabela Merced, portraying Dina (Ellie’s friend), and Kaitlyn Dever as Abbie (a formidable foe to Joel and Ellie) are also part of this new season. As of now, a trailer for Season 2 of The Last of Us hasn’t been revealed, but thanks to an HBO promotional video showcasing their upcoming series lineup, fans have caught their first glimpse of Season 2.

2024-09-21 19:03

The Last of Us Season 2 Is Coming Soon

Read More