Our outbreak started with a recall of beef and pork suspected of being contaminated with the toxoplasmosis parasite. The epidemic hit around the same time as the flu season began. With toxoplasmosis symptoms resembling the flu, it was wrongly assumed that there was an influenza pandemic under way. Pressure from higher offices forced the CDC to begin working on a vaccine specifically created for this new virulent virus. The virologists worked diligently for weeks on a vaccine that would prevent the virus from overwhelming the infected one's immune systems and making the symptoms worsen. Finally, they were ready to introduce the limited supply of their new vaccine to the masses. In an attempt to limit the spread of infection as quickly as possible, they made a few mistakes. First, they used the cell-based production process and never purified the virus antigen, second, they never tested the vaccine, and finally, they thought they had a virus pandemic, when in fact, it was a parasite infecting the masses. Citizens lined up to get their vaccines. Clinics, hospitals, and any place where one could get a flu shot were over run. People fought their way through the hordes to receive their shots. Approximately three hours after receiving the vaccine, the immune systems of the recipients were devastated by the parasite. They died an agonizing death racked with fever, chills and bouts of coughing that produced blood filled sputum. Unfortunately, the vaccine had one side effect worse than death that no one had counted on. Within thirty minutes of death, the dead began to rise. Friends and families were so stunned and grateful that they had been given a second chance with their loved ones that they didn't realize their loved ones were no longer human, so they tried to comfort the ones who were falling ill. Most would not survive these encounters. Will humanity ever be able to pull itself from the dregs of this new world?
About the Author: Ann Riley was born in Pontotoc, Ms. She currently makes her home in Tupelo, Ms. with her husband Bobby and their dachshund Riley. She started writing as a hobby as it is something she has always wanted to do. She has a full time job and writes when not working. She is an avid reader of Dark Fantasy/Dystopian books and post apocalyptic series/novels. After reading so many books and seeing so few story lines set in the South, she decided to write about a southern family dealing with a zombie apocalypse. She tries to take the serious edge off of a post apocalyptic world by adding humor, sarcasm, and crazy ideas into her books. You can see updates on books at: https: //www.facebook.com/southernzombies https: //southernzombies.wordpress.com/southern-zombies/ You can also email any questions to: southernzombies@outlook.com Check out the blog on Southern Zombies: https: //southernzombies.wordpress.com/feed/