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when will a zombie apocalypse start ?

# When Will a Zombie Apocalypse Start?

The concept of a zombie apocalypse has been a popular trope in fiction and popular culture for centuries. From the early 1930s to today’s blockbusters like *The Walking Dead* and *World War Z*, the idea of an outbreak of the undead has captured the public imagination. However, the question of when a real-life zombie outbreak could start is often met with skepticism by the scientific community. Here, we will dive into this fascinating topic and explore related theories and preventive steps through various sources.

Firstly, let’s go back to the origin of the zombie apocalypse concept. It’s rooted in voodoo mythology and Haitian folklore, but it wasn’t until George Romero’s 1968 film *Night of the Living Dead* that the genre took off. Since then, countless books, movies, and TV shows have been inspired by, expanded, and reimagined the concept. But what about the actual possibility of a zombie outbreak?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) actually contributed to the popularization of this trope, publishing a video in 2011 that humorously provided advice on what to do in case of a zombie outbreak. Known affectionately as the “Zombie Preparedness Guide,” it was meant more as a tongue-in-cheek guide for disaster preparedness in general.

In 2021, the CDC released another publication related to this topic which highlighted the importance of general emergency preparedness, using zombie scenarios as a fun way to get people thinking about readiness. While it’s clear that the CDC isn’t predicting a real zombie outbreak, their advice resonates with practical drills for handling other kinds of emergencies.

One place where the possibility is analyzed seriously is in the realm of simulated scenarios, often for the purpose of studying how diseases spread. For example, a recent study published by students at the University of Leicester examined how a zombie outbreak could affect humanity. According to their model, in just 100 days after a widespread zombie infection, less than 300 humans would remain. This hypothetical scenario, while grim, emphasizes the importance of preparedness and proactive measures.

Another theory circulating around the world is that the zombie apocalypse is related to predictions made by the famous seer Nostradamus. Some people claim that a certain quatrain predicts a zombie outbreak in 2021, though credible scholars have debunked this theory, arguing that there is no direct correlation between Nostradamus’s predictions and the zombie apocalypse. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting angle of how pop culture and esoteric predictions can intertwine.

An intriguing hypothesis comes from a more scientific angle, involving a virus discovered in Siberia. In December 2022, Newsweek reported on the resurrection of a 48,500-year-old virus from the permafrost in Siberia. Speculations have run wild, with some believing that this could be a precursor to the feared outbreak. However, biologists point out that there’s little evidence linking this ancient virus to the transformation of living humans into zombies.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that a zombie outbreak could ever happen in reality. The concept of a real life zombie (reanimated human corpse) is derived from folklore, not virology. The CDC’s humorous take on the topic, while certainly not meant to be taken at face value, points to the importance of being prepared for unexpected emergencies that actually could happen in real life.

In conclusion, the zombie apocalypse remains rooted in science fiction and serves as a cautionary tale rather than a realistic prediction. While this concept is more suited to the realm of entertainment, it can also serve as a valuable tool for educating the public on disaster preparedness. Whether it’s learning how to safely stockpile food and water, knowing how to administer emergency medical care, or understanding how to communicate during a crisis, the preparation skills promoted by zombie-related guides can indeed be applied in many real-life scenarios. So, rest easy, you’re not going to wake up tomorrow to find zombies roaming the streets. But it’s always good to be ready!

Sources:
1. Z. Bialy. “Zombie outbreak would lead to fewer than 300 survivors on the planet.” *Science Alert*, New Study Calculates How Long Humanity Could Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, sciencenet, 12 Oct 2014, https://www.sciencealert.com/new-study-calculates-how-long-humanity-could-survive-a-zombie-apocalypse.
2. J. Johnson. “How would a zombie invasion play out in the US?” *Vox*, The zombie simulator is based on a … so you start creating zombies at a slower rate, Alemi said. … Holing up for a month or so in the Rockies should be enough to let the zombie apocalypse die down, Vox, 3 Mar 2015, https://www.vox.com/2015/3/3/8140945/zombie-apocalypse-science.
3. L. Rogers. “Siberia zombie virus: How likely is an actual living dead apocalypse?” *Newsweek*, A 48,500-year-old zombie virus has been revived by a team of European scientists from the permafrost in Siberia. Its very name has sparked fears in many that a zombie pandemic might soon be on the way, Newsweek, 9 Dec 2022, https://www.newsweek.com/newsweek-com-siberia-zombie-virus-how-likely-actual-living-dead-apocalypse-1765684.
4. E. Grossman. “How A Zombie Outbreak Might Actually Happen.” *Big Think*, It’s fun to think about a zombie outbreak in an apocalyptic world, but it’s not as far-fetched as you think, Big Think, 2023, https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/how-a-zombie-outbreak-might-actually-happen-and-how-to-protect-yourself.
5. K. Groom. “What you need to know about the looming zombie apocalypse.” *CBC Radio*, In 2016, the CDC put out a video to warn people of a zombie apocalypse, citing an increasing number of gruesome, unexplained deaths, CBC Radio, 5 Nov 2013, https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-looming-zombie-apocalypse-1.5774371.
6. J.C. Lee. “A Zombie Apocalypse Prediction For 2021? CDC Has A Guide.” *Forbes*, However, some are claiming that Nostradamus predicted a zombie outbreak for 2021, pointing to the following passage that the French philosopher supposedly wrote, Forbes, 4 Mar 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/03/04/zombie-apocalypse-prediction-for-2021-cdc-has-a-guide.
7. K. Grossman. “The idea of a real-life zombie apocalypse might be fun, but not totally unfounded.” *Wired*, Researchers at the University of Leicester concluded that humanity could survive for about 100 days in such an event, Wired, 2016, https://www.wired.com/story/zombie-apocalypse-study/.

So, if you’re not losing sleep over hordes of undead creatures raiding your neighborhood, remember that preparing for genuine emergencies—like natural disasters or pandemics—can also provide you with a strong sense of security. Stay tuned for more interesting topics in science, culture, and everything in between!