There are parasites in existence that have infected people TODAY up to the very cusp of zombification. This is a real parasite, with oh so scarily obvious Zombie Awareness Month-like implications.

Seriously.

A prime example of a parasite affecting the behavior of its host species is in the life cycle of a tiny parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This T-gondii lives and reproduces in the stomach of cats. It is able to survive the cat’s digestion process and ends up in the feculent. If other animals are to come in contact with the excrement it could cause the animal to become infected. In Infected rats the parasite makes its way to the rat’s brain and alters its behavior. The normally fearful rat becomes attracted to the smell of cats and cat urine. The rats run toward unsuspecting cats and are easily caught. The ingested T-gondii make their way to the cat’s stomach and reproduce to complete the life cycle.

“This would be bad news if this parasite were then to affect humans; the scary thing is that up to one third of the world’s population is estimated to carry a Toxoplasma infection. Transition is much easier than one would think. Infection can be obtained by ingestion of raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison containing Toxoplasma cysts. Oocysts may also be ingested during hand-to-mouth contact after handling undercooked meat, or from using knives, utensils, or cutting boards contaminated by raw meat. Or even from drinking contaminated water may transmit the infection.

The study suggests that male carriers have lower IQs, a tendency to achieve a lower level of education and have shorter attention spans, a greater likelihood of breaking rules and taking risks, and are more independent, anti-social, suspicious, jealous and morose. It also suggests that these men are deemed less attractive to women. Women carriers are suggested to be more outgoing, friendly, more promiscuous, and are considered more attractive to men compared with non-infected controls. The results are shown to be true when tested on mice, though it is still inconclusive.

A few scientists have suggested that, if these effects are genuine, prevalence of toxoplasmosis could be a major determinant of cultural differences. Acute Toxoplasma infection sometimes leads to psychotic symptoms not unlike schizophrenia. The possibility that toxoplasmosis is one cause of schizophrenia has been studied by scientists since at least 1953. These studies had attracted little attention from U.S. researchers until they were publicized through the work of prominent psychiatrist and advocate E. Fuller Torrey. In 2003, Torrey published a review of this literature, reporting that almost all the studies had found that schizophrenics have elevated rates of toxoplasma infection.” (wikipedia.org) This does not sound to far from zombification. If this T-gondii or another similar parasite were able to have a little more control if might just be able to trigger a zombie pandemic.

And from the CDC:

Recent epidemiologic studies indicate that infectious agents may contribute to some cases of schizophrenia. In animals, infection with Toxoplasma gondii can alter behavior and neurotransmitter function. In humans, acute infection with T. gondii can produce psychotic symptoms similar to those displayed by persons with schizophrenia. Since 1953, a total of 19 studies of T. gondii antibodies in persons with schizophrenia and other severe psychiatric disorders and in controls have been reported; 18 reported a higher percentage of antibodies in the affected persons; in 11 studies the difference was statistically significant. Two other studies found that exposure to cats in childhood was a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. Some medications used to treat schizophrenia inhibit the replication of T. gondii in cell culture. Establishing the role of T. gondii in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia might lead to new medications for its prevention and treatment.

So what does this mean to you and I, my friends, on the upcoming Zombie pandemic?

It’s all the stupid cats fault.

Dude…I knew I didn’t like cats for a reason.