Scientists Decode Real Zombie Anatomy: The Last of Us Season 2’s Infected Reflect Scientific Realities

The Real Science Behind ‘The Last of Us’ Zombies: How Fungi Could (Almost) Create a Pandemic

As The Last of Us returns for its second season, the show’s fungal zombies feel chillingly plausible. While the HBO series is fiction, its premise is rooted in real science: certain fungi manipulate hosts’ behavior, turning them into “zombies.” Here’s how a real-world infection might unfold—and why humans are safe (for now).

Stage 1: Infection

Fungi like Ophiocordyceps spread via spores. In insects, these spores burrow through the exoskeleton, but humans would likely inhale them into their lungs. “Most fungi enter the body when we breathe in spores,” explains Dr. Rebecca Drummond, a fungal immunologist. Once inside, the spores germinate, beginning their takeover.

AI Image: A person coughing as spores infiltrate their lungs.
Caption: Spores entering the lungs could kickstart a fungal infection.

Stage 2: Colonization

The fungus grows thread-like structures called hyphae, tearing through tissues and blood vessels. Unlike insects, humans’ closed circulatory system forces the fungus to spread destructively. Early stages might not show visible symptoms, but advanced infections could mimic diseases like “black fungus,” causing limb loss or skin decay.

AI Image: Hyphae bursting through blood vessels.
Caption: Fungi ravage the body internally before outward signs appear.

Stage 3: Mind Control

Here’s where it gets eerie. Real zombie fungi hijack hosts using chemicals. Infected ants flee their colonies to avoid detection, then climb vegetation and clamp down—a “death grip” that primes them for spore dispersal. Similarly, The Last of Us “runners” and “stalkers” exhibit hyper-aggression and evasion. However, the show inaccurately depicts brain destruction; real fungi preserve the brain to maintain control until death.

AI Image: An ant clamped to a leaf, fungus erupting from its body.
Caption: Infected ants anchor themselves to spread spores—similar to the show’s “clickers.”

Stage 4: Spore Dispersal

The finale is grisly. Fungi consume the host to fuel spore production. Ophiocordyceps erupts from ants’ bodies, while Massospora cicada fungi replace genitalia with spores, driving mating frenzies to spread infection. In humans, this might mean corpses becoming spore factories.

AI Image: A humanoid figure with fungal growths erupting from its back.
Caption: Final stage: The body becomes a spore-dispersing vessel.

Why Humans Are Safe (For Now)

1. Temperature: Human bodies are too warm for insect-targeting fungi.
2. Blood-Brain Barrier: Our brains are protected from fungal chemicals.
3. Immune Defenses: Unlike insects, we have complex immune responses.

“The blood-brain barrier doesn’t let just any molecule through,” says Dr. Charissa de Bekker. While The Last of Us is fiction, it’s a stark reminder of nature’s terrifying ingenuity.

AI Image: A scientist examining fungi under a microscope.
Caption: Experts study zombie fungi—but a human pandemic remains unlikely.

Final Verdict: While The Last of Us mirrors real fungal strategies, humanity’s biology keeps us safe. For now, zombies remain confined to screens—and insects.

Images generated by AI for illustrative purposes.