Infected Freaks Volume One: Family First Read online

CORDYCEPS FUNGUS

  MIND CONTROLLING FUNGUS FOUND IN BRAZILIAN RAIN FOREST:

  Most fictional zombie infections are a product of a deadly virus. However, in the deep forests of Brazil a real cordyceps fungus has done the impossible. It has brought to life the zombie apocalypse on the insect world. Originally thought to be a single class of fungi, the cordyceps is now divided between four distinct species with the possibility for many more. This is part of the inspiration for my book series INFECTED FREAKS.

  “The newly discovered phenomenon is frightening scientists around the globe. This is because of the mind controlling abilities the fungi presents. Scientists have announced the zombie fungus species can infect ants, take over the brain, and then kill the insect in a spot that is desirable to grow more fungi and help spread the spores. Some of these ants could travel miles to find the right spot. This makes the body of the ant a puppet to the fungi.

  The parasitic spores attach to the ant, eventually breaking through the exoskeleton using mechanical pressure and enzymes. A bite, a scratch, a tear in the flesh would be enough for the fungi to invade the blood stream with the ultimate goal of the brain.

  Next up is the yeast stage. The fungi spreads in the ant’s body and presumably produces compounds that affect the ant’s hemocoel and utilizes the evolutionary trait of an extended phenotype to manipulate the behavioral patterns exhibited by the ant. Zombie ants begin to have irregularly spaced full body convolutions which sends them to the forest floor. The insect climbs up the stem of a plant and uses its mandibles to secure itself to a leaf vein, with abnormal force, leaving dumbbell-shaped marks on it.

  Once the mandibles of the ant are secured to the leaf vein, atrophy sets in destroying the sarcomere connections in the muscle fibers, and reduces the mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticula. The ant is no longer able to control the muscles of the mandible and will remain affixed here. This lockjaw trait is popularly known as the death grip, and is essential in the fungus’s fitness. The fungus then kills the ant, and continues to grow as its hyphae invade more soft tissues and structurally fortify the ant’s exoskeleton. More mycelia then sprout out of the ant, and securely anchor it to the plant substrate while secreting antimicrobials to ward off competition. When the fungus is ready to reproduce, its fruiting bodies grow from the ant’s head and rupture, releasing the spores. This process takes 4 to 10 days.”

  The discovery by David Hughes and colleagues is something of wonder and terror. The fungal growth is only thought to harm the insect population. However, with each new species of fungus the risk to humans seems paramount. The fungus is capable of adapting to various environments and victims. Should the fungi ever infect a human brain the results may be similar to the fantasied zombie apocalypse.

  The cordyceps fungus is an ever evolving species that scientists are just beginning to understand. With thousands of zombie fungi in tropical forests across the globe yet to be discovered, the chances of a human infection are high according to some of the specialists in the field.

  The fungus uses its host to spread the infection. The human body is capable of spreading such a virus in an uncanny manner. Instead of devouring flesh the will of the creature would be to infect other hosts. This is exactly what these zombie ants do to its own colony. Once an ant is infected, the fungus forces the bug to bit other ants and in doing so allows the infection to spread at a frightening rate. The same concept applied to humans is exactly what the zombie apocalypse entails. However, unlike zombies a brainless body would bloom into a forest of fungus and create pockets of spores to infect the next unlucky person to stroll close enough. The human tissue would feed the fungi for a wealth of time allowing the process to devour mankind in a short period.

  However, ants are smart and if they sense infected member they will carry them away from the colony hoping to avoid the infection. Of course the fungus infecting humans is speculation at this point. But in my new book series Infected Freaks the outbreak is real and possibly alien.

  Learn more about the cordyceps fungus on the Web:

  https://www.jasonborrego.com/

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8

  https://www.jasonborrego.com/cordyceps-fungus/

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA02gyLwh0A&list=PL_qbtwt0bvuUlYqIpEqMyd_jCkK3VzelS

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WHaFWgKSsU&list=PL_qbtwt0bvuUlYqIpEqMyd_jCkK3VzelS

  https://www.wired.com/2013/09/absurd-creature-of-the-week-zombie-ant-fungus/

  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/zombie-ant-fungus-parasite/

  https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/03/pictures/110303-zombie-ants-fungus-new-species-fungi-bugs-science-brazil

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jason Borrego is author based in Denver, Colorado. He is leading the charge against hard-hitting political issues such as who would win in a fight—a pirate or a ninja. Please let him know on Facebook or Twitter.

  In addition, in these troubling times Jason aims to expose major cover ups such as dragons behind every major war, zombies boosting the coffee industry and the unicorns unionizing movement plaguing the nation.

  How is a lowly author supposed to focus? As an exhausted war veteran, a college grad with endless debt, a parent without a clue, and future knight of the round table—most will find his writing chronicles his own journeys and struggles in life. That should scare you!

  Are you still there?

  Great, you must be crazy too!

  Now we can share stories of fishing with Golem in Mordor. Please join me on Facebook, Twitter, and visit my Website for all things bold, even though I feel italic.

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  OTHER BOOKS BY JASON BORREGO

  A Prisoner of the Wasteland: Antonio is a hero of war, a deeply felt soldier that questions the limits of sanity. A lifetime of gut wrenching pain has left him as a fractured shell of his former glory. His gut wrenching journey reminds us that we are all vulnerable. The conclusion offers no easy answers.

  A College of Spirits and Warfare: Ray’s inspiring adventure begs for belief in the impossible. Discovering a whole new world hidden in plain view at an infamous college, requires admirable friends. He must discover to walk with friends in the dark, or die alone in the light. Ray shows us that the shoulder of a friend is sharp as any sword.

  The Inner Workings of Decay: Jude’s is left to ponder what it is to be human. The stealth assassin never belonged, but the reason will shatter his every conviction. Jude must look past his flesh, and discover the true meaning of his existence. The only question that remains is will he still believe?

  Untold Secrets of Redwood: Rose’s struggle is a heart stopping tale of tragedy that exposes the carnal nature of a divided family, in a supernatural world. It will appeal to fans of hard hitting heroines.

  Stuffed Courage: This children’s fantasy is an epic adventure about enduring and overcoming bad dreams and nightmares. In addition to facing his fears, Alex will have to take on his nightmares, an annoying sister, and his clueless parents that only get in his way. This young boy and his teddy bear find their courage pushed to its ghostly limits in this brave adventure!

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