The Cordyceps Cataclysm: Unraveling the Zombie Apocalypse of The Last of Us

The cause of the zombie outbreak in The Last of Us is a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus, specifically the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. In the game and television adaptation, this normally insect-infecting fungus evolved to infect humans, turning them into aggressive, zombie-like creatures. The fungus rapidly spread through contaminated food supplies, unleashing a devastating pandemic that collapses society and fundamentally reshapes the world.

The Science Behind the Horror: Understanding Cordyceps

Real-World Inspiration: The Zombie-Ant Fungus

The Last of Us draws inspiration from the real-world Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a parasitic fungus infamous for its mind-controlling effects on insects, most notably ants. This fungus infects an ant, hijacks its nervous system, and compels it to climb to a high location. Once there, the ant is forced to clamp down onto a leaf or twig, ensuring the fungus optimal conditions for spreading its spores. The fungus then kills the ant and sprouts a fruiting body from its head, releasing spores to infect more ants. This gruesome process earned it the moniker “Zombie-Ant Fungus.”

The Mutation: A Jump to Humans

The critical difference between the real-world fungus and the one depicted in The Last of Us is its ability to infect humans. In the game’s lore, the Cordyceps fungus mutated, allowing it to overcome the biological barriers that typically prevent it from infecting humans. This mutation, possibly aided by changes in environmental conditions, gave the fungus the capacity to thrive in human bodies and manipulate the central nervous system.

Transmission and Infection: A Spreading Pandemic

The primary mode of transmission in The Last of Us is through spores released by infected individuals and environments. These spores can be inhaled, entering the respiratory system and initiating infection. Additionally, the fungus can spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva, typically occurring through bites or scratches.

The initial infection stage involves the fungus rapidly colonizing the brain, overriding the host’s cognitive functions and motor control. The infected individuals then become aggressive and driven by a singular purpose: to spread the fungus to uninfected hosts. As the infection progresses, the fungus physically manifests on the host’s body, forming grotesque growths and altering their physical appearance. This gives rise to different stages of the infected, each more dangerous and visually disturbing than the last.

The Stages of Infection: A Grotesque Evolution

The infected in The Last of Us are not all the same. The game and show portray different stages of the infected, each reflecting the duration and progression of the fungal infection:

• Runners: These are the recently infected, retaining some semblance of their former human appearance. They are fast, agile, and highly aggressive, attacking in hordes.

• Stalkers: After several weeks or months, runners transition into stalkers. The fungus has progressed further, causing visible fungal growth on the face and body. Stalkers are more cunning and often hide in dark corners, ambushing unsuspecting victims.

• Clickers: Over a year or more, the fungus completely covers the head, blinding the infected. They navigate using echolocation, emitting distinctive clicking sounds. Clickers are incredibly dangerous due to their thick fungal armor and powerful melee attacks.

• Bloaters: After several years, the fungus continues to develop, resulting in massive fungal plates covering the entire body. Bloaters are enormous, heavily armored, and incredibly strong. They can throw explosive sacs of fungal spores, making them formidable opponents.

• Shamblers: These appear in The Last of Us Part II and are similar to Bloaters, but instead of throwing spores, they release clouds of toxic acid upon death.

• Rat King: This terrifying creature appears in The Last of Us Part II and is essentially a conjoined mass of multiple infected individuals, fused together by the Cordyceps fungus.

The Impact on Society: A World Transformed

The outbreak of the Cordyceps fungus in The Last of Us has a catastrophic impact on society. Governments collapse, infrastructure crumbles, and civilization descends into chaos. The few remaining uninfected survivors are forced to live in heavily guarded quarantine zones, struggling to maintain order and security. Outside these zones, the world is overrun by infected and dangerous factions of survivors, creating a brutal and unforgiving landscape.

The story of The Last of Us explores the themes of survival, loss, and the lengths to which people will go to protect those they care about in the face of unimaginable adversity. The Games Learning Society may provide further insights into the societal impacts of such scenarios as well. The GamesLearningSociety.org supports research into how gaming can teach us important lessons about cooperation and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Cordyceps fungus in The Last of Us real?

Yes, the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus exists in the real world. However, in reality, it only infects insects, specifically ants, and cannot infect humans.

2. Could a Cordyceps-like pandemic actually happen?

While the specific scenario depicted in The Last of Us is highly unlikely, the threat of fungal infections and their potential to evolve is a genuine concern. Scientists are constantly monitoring and researching fungi to better understand their behavior and potential risks.

3. How did the Cordyceps outbreak start in The Last of Us?

In The Last of Us, the outbreak is believed to have originated from contaminated food supplies, specifically crops like flour or sugar that were infected with a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus.

4. Why are some people immune to the Cordyceps infection in The Last of Us?

The only known immune individual in the game is Ellie. Her immunity is attributed to a unique mutation in her body that allows her to coexist with the fungus without succumbing to its effects. The precise cause of her immunity is never fully explained, leaving room for speculation.

5. Can Ellie transmit her immunity to others?

It is believed that Ellie cannot transmit her immunity to others. The fungus in her body is unique and does not pose a threat to uninfected individuals.

6. Is there a cure for the Cordyceps infection in The Last of Us?

There is no known cure for the Cordyceps infection in The Last of Us. In the first game, the Fireflies believed they could develop a vaccine using Ellie’s immunity, but this required her sacrifice.

7. What are the different stages of infection in The Last of Us?

The stages of infection are Runners, Stalkers, Clickers, Bloaters, Shamblers (in The Last of Us Part II), and the Rat King (in The Last of Us Part II).

8. How do the infected spread the Cordyceps fungus?

The infected spread the fungus through spores released into the air and through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such as bites or scratches.

9. Do the infected retain any memories or awareness of their former lives?

The infected generally do not retain any memories or awareness of their former lives. They are driven by instinct and the need to spread the fungus. However, some players have observed instances where Infected respond or are drawn to things familiar to them, indicating there could be some faint residual memory.

10. How do the infected “see”?

Runners and Stalkers have functional sight. Clickers, due to the fungal growth covering their faces, use echolocation to navigate. Bloaters also rely on echolocation, though their echolocation is less refined than that of Clickers.

11. Why did the Infected “kiss” Tess in the TV adaptation?

The “kiss” was a new addition to the TV show. It was a way to visually depict the transfer of Cordyceps tendrils into Tess’ body, accelerating the infection process. It highlighted the evolved and more insidious nature of the fungus in the show.

12. What is the Rat King in The Last of Us Part II?

The Rat King is a horrifying creature found in The Last of Us Part II. It is a massive, grotesque amalgamation of multiple infected individuals fused together by the Cordyceps fungus, representing the extreme end of fungal mutation.

13. How did Joel avoid getting infected at the beginning of the outbreak?

Joel, Sarah, and Tommy likely avoided eating foods containing flour or sugar during the initial outbreak days, the components that the game implies were initially infected with the Cordyceps.

14. Is it possible to fight off a Cordyceps infection in The Last of Us?

Once infected, there’s no known way to fight off the Cordyceps infection in The Last of Us. The fungus rapidly takes over the host’s body and brain, making survival impossible.

15. What are the quarantine zones in The Last of Us?

Quarantine zones are heavily fortified and guarded areas established by the military after the Cordyceps outbreak. They are intended to protect uninfected survivors from the infected and maintain some semblance of order. However, these zones are often plagued by strict rules, scarcity of resources, and internal conflicts.