| Symptoms | Semi-consciousness • Diminished cognitive abilities • Insatiable hunger for living flesh |
| Phenomenon | Reanimation of the recently deceased by a unique pathogenic virus |
| Danger level | Dangerous |
| Legal status | Ongoing legal and ethical debates about rights and proper treatment |
| First observed | 18th century |
| Societal views | Debated, not universally viewed as monstrous |
| Research status | Governments and research institutions searching for a cure or humane method of 'putting down' the undead |
The "undead corpse" is a scientifically documented medical phenomenon in which a recently deceased human body is reanimated and continues to exhibit a form of semi-conscious movement and function, despite the individual having experienced clinical death. This reanimation is caused by a unique pathogenic virus that infects the body upon or shortly after the cessation of normal biological processes.
The undead corpse syndrome was first observed and studied in the late 18th century by French physician Antoine Beaupré, who documented several cases of recently deceased individuals exhibiting signs of continued biological activity. Beaupré theorized that this was caused by an unknown infectious agent that hijacked the body's nervous system.
Subsequent research throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries confirmed Beaupré's hypothesis, identifying the causative factor as a highly virulent and adaptable virus capable of surviving even after the host's death. Epidemiologists and virologists worked to further understand the properties and transmission of the "undeath virus," as it came to be called.
Individuals infected by the undeath virus typically exhibit the following behaviors and traits after clinical death:
The infection seems to spread through the act of an undead corpse biting or consuming living tissue, with the virus then reanimating the victim's body upon death. However, the virus has not been shown to spread through the air or by casual contact.
The undead corpse phenomenon has sparked fierce debates within medical, legal and philosophical circles. Some view the infected individuals as dangerous monsters that must be eliminated for public safety. Others argue they retain basic human rights and should be treated with dignity, perhaps even cured if possible.
Many nations have implemented regulations around the handling and disposal of undead corpses, ranging from mandatory cremation to specialized quarantine and containment facilities. There are also ongoing efforts to find a viable "cure" or method of permanently "putting down" the reanimated dead.
Ethicists have grappled with thorny questions of personhood, autonomy, and the sanctity of life when it comes to the undead. Should they be considered living, dead, or something in between? Do they have a right to "life" and to make decisions about their own fate? These complex philosophical and legal quandaries continue to be debated.
While relatively rare, the undeath virus has had a significant impact on society, culture, and scientific research over the past two centuries. Governments and medical institutions maintain specialized units to study and contain outbreaks, and the phenomenon has inspired countless works of literature, film, and folklore.
Ongoing research continues to unlock new insights about the virus' origins, transmission, and potential weaknesses. Scientists remain hopeful that a definitive cure or treatment method can eventually be developed to eliminate the undead corpse syndrome once and for all. However, the highly adaptive nature of the virus means this challenge may persist for generations to come.
