*NEW MOSQUITO-BORNE VIRUS*

Now another nasty virus appears about to escape the jungles - mayaro.

Mayaro has been known to medicine for about 60 years.

The virus has rarely registered on the radar, with only sporadic outbreaks inlimited parts of northern South America.

In September, more than 100,000 cases were confirmed in the Americas -including for the first time significant numbers in Haiti.

Mayaro's symptoms are very similar to hikungunya: joint pains combined withchills, fever and a rash.

Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanayake of the Australian National Universitysays mayaro is generally thought not to have any serious complications: "Butthat's what we originally thought about zika".

"Not many of us could have told you much about zika a few years ago. Noweveryone knows about it. I get the feeling that we're going to start to hearmore about mayaro. And then there's sindbis, a virus that was first found inCairo but is now being found in Europe." Like zika and chikengunya, mayaro isa virus naturally carried by jungle mosquitoes.

"It's a bit like yellow fever, in terms of being a mosquito virus," says DrSenanayake.

"It is normally transmitted among primates in jungle or forest areas. That'sthe reservoir which keeps the virus surviving." But times are changing.

Chikungunya is one such virus that has already mutated and adapted: it's nowhappily carried by common urban mosquitoes such as a. aegypti and aedesalbopictus.

Mayaro, being similar to chikungunya, looks poised to follow.

This significantly boosts the virus' chances of being carried into new territory.

"Human population is encroaching more on the jungle and rural areas, therefore we're getting more interaction with animal species," Dr Senanayakesays.





Source: http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/human-body/new-mosquitoborne-virus-mayaro-breaks-out-of-south-american-jungles/news-story/457db60efeb0bfcd15151e3763b2698b





For more about the virus: http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/human-body/new-mosquitoborne-virus-mayaro-breaks-out-of-south-american-jungles/news-story/457db60efeb0bfcd15151e3763b2698b

Read More

What's The Cause?

There are many "claimed" causes of how a zombie comes to be such as radiation, psychological manipulation, drug induced, necromancy magic, divine intervention, paranormal activity, incredible acting, evolution, alternate dimensional side-effects, aliens, viruses, mass schizophrenia, they were born that way, and others of the sort, but the most popular is the idea that mankind brought this upon themselves by manufacturing their own custom virus that has ironical been stated that it was made to help humanity *laugh*

But how much do you really know about this so called "virus"? I suggest that you watch this and educate yourselves. The more you know, the more you can show off to potential sweethearts and your boss :)

Read More

Mike's diary Day 65 - Two Fuckers, We're Being Watched.

          I woke up beside Julie this morning, I saw her yawned
          "Good morning." She said. I smiled and looked at her 'hand'.
          "Do you wanna anything on that?" I asked.
          "Yes, anything would be good."
          "Knife?"
          "Sure"
          "Okay, we will get you patched up once we get back to base." I said to her.

I got up and checked the surroundings, while Julie was looting for some supplies. That morning was very sunny, breezy, all I could see UT the window was a torn flag waving in mid air, unfinished construction buildings, and some craze. Once Julie was done, I told her that we are going to a hospital near by to loot some medicine and other important stuff that we might be able to take.

            I walked outside with my iron sight aimed down, I checked if the coast is clear, and I signaled Julie to follow right behind me. We turned left back to the ally way, proceeded our way through, and turned left on the second house. The road was empty so I decided to me a run across. We did, I could see the hospital building clear from where we were at, and I couldn't wait to see what's inside. For another 35 minutes walk, we arrived on our destination. We went inside, not too many craze so far, so Julie and I handled it though sweat. We started looting the stuff, first aid kit, alcohol, bandage, painkillers, and many more. I then proceeded my way to the emergency room, and I opened the door, I was greeted by two guys. Yup, they're all dead now. I talked my way out.
             "Remember us?" One of them said
             "Nope, not a bit."
             "You destroyed our base."
             "Oh, the Valors?" I asked while taking few glances behind them.
             "Where is the girl?" The other asked
             "Or we'll kill you."
             "Oh you mean that one?" I gestured with my head to look back when Julie stabbed the guy repeatedly in the neck. I took my gun and fired at the other before he could slash Julie's other hand off. Once the gun fire went off, all I could hear was craze's scream and footsteps.
              "C'mon we gotta run." I said.
We ran away from the kitchen, trying to get out of the hospital, but we were blocked by a horde. We decided to find another way, but with no luck, we found dead ends. Our last hope was upstairs. I led the way, I pushed our way up and slashed some heads off along the way. We were terrified, I almost peed in my pants. We found a  door, I breached it open, waited for Julie to come, and closed it. I held the door with all my strength from the craze who were trying to get a piece of us. I quickly told Julie to find a metal to use the door. After a struggle, she found it, but it wasn't strong enough, so I decided to jam the door with anything we could find. We found chairs, sofas, and tables. Great, we're stuck now. Julie was breathing heavily, but was still able to throw out a smile or two. The sky is turning orange, it's getting dark, and we're stuck on the roof. Julie and I have to think of something tomorrow if we still wanna live for another day. In the other hand, I am worry that the other back at base are looking for us (well obviously). I hope everyone is still in one piece by the time we got back, especially Jack. One more thing, I hope the valors don't find their way to our base before we got back. They probably did, if they didn't, how the fuck did they know we were going to the hospital? Even more odd when they said
                  "Remember us?"

As if they were expecting our presence in the building. I am pretty sure, everyone (even the ones in our base) is being watched. Is it possible that they have an inside men, or women? I'm going to stop writing right here because Julie is telling me to eat.

Read More

Mike's Diary, Day 64 - The Struggle

           I was awoken from my sleep this morning to bird-calls. I looked to my right, Julie was still sleeping and tied to the tree. I woke her up
           "Good morning Julie." I said to her
           "Morning. Don't we need to go back to base?"
           "Yeah, I'll walk you, then I'll go off on my way again."
           "Why?" She asked
           "The base needs some supplies."
           "4 eyes are better than 1. I'm not leaving you."
I looked at her and nodded. We untied ourselves, and we proceed our way down the tree. I packed the rope, so did Julie. I led the way into the suburbs with her, for the whole trip it was quite, until there's a horde. I could see from a distant that the stores are near, but there were too many craze around. It was too dangerous. I ducked down, and told Julie to do so too. We sneaked around the horde, through a small alley way. There was only one door, but it's locked. Julie poked me from the back
            "Mike, are you sure we're safe?"
            "As long as we don't make a loud noise." I responded
I tried to break the lock open, but it was almost impossible without beating it with my crowbar. Instead, I decided to distract the horde first.
            "Here Mike, boost me up." Julie whispered to me.
            "What? Why?"
            "So I can distract them. I'm going to throw something to the other direction so you can open the                     door."
             "Are you sure you wanna do this?" I asked.
             "Yes, hurry." She answered. I boosted her up the wall, and I ducked back down.
             "Be careful." I said
             "Huh, when am I not?"
She got up to the roof and threw bottles in the other direction. The horde followed. Once Julie gave a a signal, I started beating on the lock. I struggled, but eventually I opened the door. I told Julie to come down, I pushed a garbage bin towards the wall so she could step down and get off of the roof, when I was about to go in, Julie yelled.
             "Mike! Behind you!" I looked back, and the craze was already on top of me.I held it's had with my strength, using one hand, and using the other to grab my knife from my back pocket, but before I did so, Julie was already on its back and stabbing it's head and neck with her shank.
              "Should've stayed up the roof." I said
              "You almost got your ass eaten." She responded with attitude. Now that her scream has alerted the horde, they were rushing towards us, screaming. I went inside the room with Julie, closed the door and blocked it with whatever heavy furniture that the house had.We were panicking, Julie and I were trying to figure a way out when I remembered that I still have those molotovs. However, there's no chance for me to use it since we were surrounded by the horde. I looked at Julie
              "There's only one way." I said
              "I'm not leaving you."
              "No. I'm leaving you." I said again. I gave my uzi to her, and extra ammo.
              "You must wait here. I'll take the molotovs with me and distract them. I'll come back for you." I said.
              "You know I only have one hand right?" Julie said while smiling at me
              "Yeah, I'll come back." I chucked with her. I walked towards the window, took a double take on Julie, then she said something.
              "Mike, be careful." I think she was about to cry, I nodded. I opened the window, went outside and told Julie to lock the window again. I ran while screaming to lure the horde. Man, they were fast. I ran for at least 10 minutes, and they were still following me. I looked back, and I threw my first molotov. BOOM, set them in flames. I continued running, just to encountered more of them. I decided  to go inside a building and threw my last molotov, and I disappeared from the horde's sight. I went to the second building, the house which Julie is in is visible from my floor, and I could see Julie from there. I went outside to the roof in the evening trying to signal here that I was fine, but she didn't notice me. There were only five craze left downstairs (approximately). If I could be stealth enough, I could kill them and get out of here as soon as possible, I thought to myself. I started to make my way downstairs, every step was my chance of survival. I ducked down once I got to the bottom floor. It's weird, in the evening, some of them just stood there, especially when there's no light. They looked like someone who stand sleeping. I approached the first craze near the stairs, stabbed it right in the head twice with my knife, and the rest didn't react. I was confused for a second, maybe there are different species of mutants? I don't know. I didn't take any chances. I opened the door and ran back to where Julie is. Once I arrived, I could see that she was ready with the uzi. I knocked on the window, and Julie opened it. This night, I covered all windows with wooden planks, right before I write this journal. I also told Julie that I was on the north east building, and that I could see her from there, but her respond was
               "Of course I didn't see, I was trying my best to not get distracted. I want to live."
We didn't eat at all today, the hunger overcame me as I write, that's why I'm going to sleep now, and scavange more stuff tomorrow. We didn't even get the chance to look what goods does this house have.

Read More

Mike's Diary Day 61 - We're Undefeated

          I woke up the next day feeling a little bit better. My wound has partially healed, my body is no longer sore. I went outside my tent, it was approximately 5 in the morning. I got on top of an RV, set a mini chair, sat down, and wait for the great star to rise. It was very quite, only a few birds chirped, dead craze, and me with my beer bottle. I popped it and took a sip. It has been a long time since I drank my last beer. As the sun slowly rises, the light overcame the darkness. The first person to got out of her tent was Jess. She looked up and said good morning, and I replied so. She went up to the RV with me and sat right beside me. We stared at the sun, quietly, cherishingthe quite and peaceful moment. You don't get this often in this kind of era. A few minutes later, more and more people went out of the tent, and there was one guy in particular that I was most interested in. The guy who we caught before we reached the valors' base. I thought he was going to leave us, but I guess he changed his mind. Though, it is not right to stay without my permission, so I decided to mess with him. I called him over, asked for his name, Brian. I told Brian to wake Jack up. He hesitated but he obeyed. I figured that he's scared of Jack. I waited, a few seconds later, all I could hear was Jack yelling at Brian. Yeah I was being a dick.
           Once everybody was awaken, I told him to wrap up because we will not stop until we reach our base. I splitted the group to 4, 8 members each. Me, Victor, Julie, and the other five were going to look for any blunt weapons in the abandoned buildings. Jack, Jess, Brian, and other 5 looked for medicine, the third group (where Ann was) looked and scavenge for gasoline, and the rest 4 were going to look for food and drinks. I told the group to come back here in 40 minutes, and the rest 4 people to guard our viechles. I gave each group 2 flares, if they're in danger, fire one, and one for reserve. Off we went in our hunt. First building, I went inside an abandoned police station. There was a basement, and were two other floors. We scavenged the basement, few craze, I told Julie to handle it, practice I thought. She did great! Julie and I proceeded to the second floor, 3 people in the first floor, another rest 3 guarding the door. I was talking to Julie, about stuff, our bond is getting stronger, yet I still think about Lexi sometime. When I looked out of the window, North east from where my position was, a flare was fired. North east, that's Jack's group, they wouldn't use that unless they're in a really deep shit because I know Jack.
           I grabbed everything I could and signalled my group to hurried up, and we rushed to the flare's position. It took us almost 10 minutes running when the second flare went off. Uh oh, I didn't have a good feeling about this. When we got there, the group was on the edge of the roof defending themselves from an unexpected horde of craze. The roof was too tall for them to jump (suicide), so I decided with 2 other males to go up there and whack and kill as many craze as possible. I rushed in, the two went to the roof to kill the horde from behind, and when  I was about to go upstairs, I heard a scream from a room beside the stairs. I busted the door, and I saw Jack getting cornered by craze. My assumption was he lured the craze in so the others can go to the roof, but I wasn't so sure myself. I took out my axe, and whacked one of the craze's head right off. Then I immediately rushed to Jack's aid. He was aalmost bitten, but I managed to grab the craze's shirt and pulled him towards me. I broke its leg and stabbed its head with my dagger. I got Jack up and we went upstairs to help. When we reached the roof, Victor and another guy had already taken care of the horde.
           That was a very close call, but let's just forget about it, though I still want to hear what happened from Jack himself. We are back in our cars, we looted stuff we needed, but didn't have the chance to talk. I might change my mind about the non-stop road trip just so I can talk and let them explain what happened, but right now, I'm just writting in the lead car, and glancing out of the passenger window. Wondering what will happen next.

Read More

Mike's Diary Day 60 - Ah. I'm Back in Business Bitch!

           I woke up on a very comfortable, cozy, small bed. In a small room full with all surgery equipment. My vision was still blurry, but I could see what so called the 'surgeon'. I looked down to my wound, it was already patched up, thanks to him. He turned around and looked at me smiling. 

           "Where am I?" I asked

           "Valors. You were shot when you were off chasing those guys who ran with the Valors' 'package'." 

           "But, I..." Then I realized that somehow they must've confused me for one of the Valors. I started to think what happened to the others. I'm worry about them, but now it comes down to me. What should I do? I wondered.

           "That note that your friend gave you." The surgeon said, "The one that says 'Do not ruin the plan Mike. Make your way out of the base safely, or else kill everyone.'" I looked at him confused, and I became very nervous at that time. After seconds of silence, he told me that he volunteered as the 'doctor' so the Valors wouldn't do anything bad to him. He also told me that he wanted to join me if the plan was successful. I nodded to him, but I didn't promise. I told him later to tell me where the Valors keep the kids, and I asked for the key to that room. He said he didn't have it. After minutes thinking of what we should do to get out of this base, I head gun shots. Right at that second I thought Jack. I fucking knew it. I told the surgeon to follow me. I was limping, weak, and my stitches hurt like crazy, but I managed to ignore it and move on. I saw a guy running towards us and yelled "We're under attack. Here!" while handing me a shotgun (bad idea). I stopped him and said that I need to get all the kids. When he was about to hand me the key, he asked my name in suspicion. I didn't say a thing, cocked the shotgun, and blast his guts out. I grabbed the keys and rushed to the room. I opened the door and everyone was panicking. When I was busy making sure that they're fine, the room beside us exploded (kitchen plus fire. Not a good idea). The surgeon was blown up to pieces, I fell down. I managed to get up to evacuate everyone out of the building when I saw Jack. He was a bloody mess. In this situation, there's no room for anything but humour.

           "You look like shit." I said to him

           "You don't look so good either!"

We proceed our ways, I followed Jack, and the kids followed me. It was a very cruel sighting for kids to see, but we continued outside. I heard gunshots, few, and slowly faded out to one or two shots. The base was a mess. Victor and the other older kids off chasing the remaining of the Valors (Which I don't like). They could be in much deeper shit than we were. Everything went smoothly, though Victor came back with some minor bruises. Oh great. Now we have an army of kids from age 12-17. Which is good and bad at the same time. We have 32 kids on board excluding the 6 of us, and we had a convoy of cars. Me, in a mustang, the lead car, a pick-up truck, and Rv, and SUVs. On the way back, all I could see in the rear-view mirror was Jack passing out. I wouldn't so worry about him, the guy is a tough son of a bitch. Thanks to him I was saved, but thanks to him also that we all almost died. We drove for hours until we can reach the eastern part of the country, which is our original base. Few more days, man knowing this, we should've taken the high way instead of the forest. 

           We decided to take a break here, in the middle of nowhere. Craze everywhere, so I had to get the people from age 16+ to patrol in shifts. I know, kind of cruel, but hey, we're a team now. I took all of their guns away and gave each of them machetes, axes, bats, and crowbars. I just couldn't risk attracting more craze with gun shots. I set up my usual tent right beside my car. Julie is staying in my car, she wanted to sleep there. The RVs surrounded my tent, Jack's tent is on top of a pick-up truck, the others were preparing fire. Julie's head stuck out from the car and thanked me. I said no problem. I went out from my tent to approach Jack to thanked him. I said that without him, all the six of us would've been dead. When I was talking to Jack, Julie approached me and hugged me. 

            "No seriously. Thank you Mike." She said. I looked at Jack in hesitation whether I should hug her back or not, and Jack looked at me as if he was saying "C'mon, give the kid a break you fucker.", and so I hugged her back. I almost teared up, and Jack left us both (I don't know what he's thinking about Julie and me now. Who cares, Julie gives my life a whole new meaning.) Julie stopped and looked at me and said

            "C'mon old man, don't be such a pussy." Then she punched me on my stomach. Ouch... I held my stomach, and all I could see was everyone giggling at me. I went back to my tent to rest, to get all recovered for our next journey back home. Hopefully it'll be a safe and not bumpy ride for all of us. I'm done writing, I'm sleeping.

Read More

Mike's Diary Day 59 - Oh no. Is this it? No!

          I got up very early in the morning, I woke the new guy up. He looked panic, and tired when I shook him from his sleep. I put my hand over his mouth so he didn't scream, well I also told him not to.
          "We're going to get you patched up okay?" I said to him calmly. He nodded as I looked through my bag for a knife and alcohol. I told him to bite on a cloth, and do the usual routine. Pour, stab, dig, wrap. He screamed like a dying pig. After we were done, the sun has already risen from its sleep. I woke everybody up and told them to pack up. I went into Julie's tent, and sat right beside her while the others wait outside.
            "You ready kiddo?"
            "Yes. Mike. Don't worry about me. I'm not, her. I can take care of myself." She responded. I was shocked.
             "What do you mean?"
             "I'm not Lexi. I can take care of my damn self." She said again.
I stood up, told her to pack up, then went outside. I packed my backpack, meds, painkillers, molotovs, Uzi, and a knife. I put my hoodie on, jeans, and we were off our ways towards the Valors. Jack was quietly guarding the new guy, the others to were quite. Jack told Victor to look after the wounded guy, and Jack approached me.
              "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked
              "No."
              "Then?"
              "We'll see." I responded.
We walked for another hour or so, and here we are. 50 yards from the huge concrete gate. My palms were sweating,I was nervous. Very, especially in Julie's condition. A missing right hand. Oh this is just great. We walked until we're face to face to the gate's lock, then I called out.
               "Package is here!" I said while looking back to Julie.
The door opened, 3 guys came out. They were no taller than 5 foot 9. 
               "Great, your weapons are ready." Said one, while the others whispered to each other.
               "Bye guys." Julie said sadly while she hugged each one of us. I couldn't let go but I had to. Julie went in with the three guys, but I managed to held one of their hands and asked
                "Where are the other kids?" I asked
                "Inside."
                "How can I know for sure?" Everyone went silent. The three guys looked at each other. One of them told the other to get several kids from inside. I looked each of their faces. Little terrified faces, and then they went back in. It was Julie's turn, they way these guys handle these kids is suspicious if you ask me. When me and the group were about to walked away, one of the three guys said
                 "A little girl with one hand gives no pleasure." he chuckled.
                 "What the fuck did you just say?" Julie said, I froze while the group kept walking. I turned, walked up to them and said
                 "Yeah. What the fuck did you just say?"
The three guys looked at each other, and at an instant I disarmed my Uzi, and just fired at those three. They let go of Julie, she ran to me, the group was prepared, valors rushing out of their bases, we made a run. We run, and run until we saw a full sized van. I told Jack to hurry and hot wire the car. I told him to drive through highways, get away from that valors' base. I told him to drive us to the previous base. Great, I just started a fucking war. The valors fired, they missed, fired again, penetrated the door, I'm hit. I'm dizzy. I want to sleep. The others were yelling, Jack was saying something that I couldn't understand, Julie told me 'stay with her'. I couldn't bear the pain, this is it. This is the end for. is it? No! I have something to fight for. The group. Julie, Jess, Victor, Jack, Ann, that random dude. Oh no. I need a rest. Oh no I've gone unconscious.

Read More

Mike's Diary Day 51 - "If I die, then let be."

     After we had all we wanted, supplies, gas, food, weapons, and most importantly, water to drink, we built our tent in the middle and we, well, I slept while the group was still talking. I had a dream, of Lexi, how her head blew up before a blink of an eye, and lied down on her side, harmlessly. I woke up gasping to this kid beside me.
     "Bad dreams huh?"
     "Yeah."
     "I hate them."
     "Me too."
I stood up, grabbed my crowbar, and when I was about to walk outside, she said,
     "Still don't want to talk to me I see." While she walks pass me. I just glanced at her and keep walking behind her. I saw the group was ready and all I could hear was
     "Did she actually wake you up?" asked Jess, I didn't say anything and shook my head. We packed up, refilled the gas in the car, and when I was about to get on the truck, Jack said
     "Hey, you had more sleep, you're driving." I switched to the driver seat, Jack is on the passenger seat, and Julie, Ann, Victor, and Jess were sitting at the back. In about three to four hours drive, Ann said
     "Guys, I need to go to the bathroom."
     "thirty more minutes and there's going to be a gas station." Jack informed her while looking at his map.
     "Are you tired bud?" Jack asked, but I shook my head.
     "Look, when you were sleeping yesterday, we were talking about Julie." He paused for a second and continued.
     "Jess, Victor, and I were talking, but then those two hooligans wanted Julie to stay with us."
I hit the break pedal, and paused for a second.
     "On the other hand, Julie also wants to stay with us."
     "No." I said,
     "Why are we stopping?" Jess asked,
     "Because we have to decide whether she's staying or not." Jack said,
     "Well can she stay? I need to go to the bathroom." Ann responded.
     "Look, the valors is one big army I will not start a war with them just for Julie, I won't risk our entire base, my brother is still there." I said,
     "Finally he speaks." Julie whispered,
     "Knock it off." Jack said to Julie. There, I guess we all know now that the vote is 3 against 2 excluding Ann.
     "Look she's not staying with us." I said, then I kept driving. thirty minutes later, we arrived at the gas station, and Ann impulsively ran towards the bathrooms without checking anything. Once she's done, she went out, and yelled "WALKERS!" I ran towards her, and managed to kill it, what a bloody mess. Then came another one, then another, and then another. We were so scattered so all the groups were scattered, and by scattered I mean Julie, Jack, and I were on the gas station's gate, and Victor, Jess, and Ann were already in the car. I looked over to Jack, then Julie.
    "I'll distract them, you and Julie head for the car." He nodded
    "We're not leaving you here." Said Jack
    "Yes, we are not." Julie added.
    "We need you to lead the squad." Jack said
    "RUN! Now Julie." She rushed towards the car
    I held Jack's arm and said, "If I don't make it alive, you're in charge, and.... keep her safe." I said, then he nodded. He took off, and hoped in to the car, and all I could heard was Julie's faint voice saying
    "How about Mike?"
At that moment, I think, well if I don't survive this one, at least they will. I then took off my shotgun and fired it into the air, distracting the craze from the car which then took off into the foggy evening. I ran backwards while firing, and since I didn't want to waste my shotgun ammo, I decided to hack and slash them with my crowbar while retreating deep into the forest until I'm finally alone. How stupid, I should've brought my tent with me. Now, I have to make a shelter, fire, and won't be able to sleep for more than 2 hours cycle. How stupid.

Read More