The Virus Game

In 2005, this naked, icosahedral virus killed more than 85% of the wolf pups in Yellowstone National Park.

In the summer of 2006, a vaccine was developed against this DNA virus. This was an important medical breakthrough as the virus causes the infections that lead to most cervical cancers. - cdc.gov (Press Release)

This virus binds to receptors found specifically on human nasopharynx, gut and neural cells. Because of its attack on motor neurons, it can lead to eventual paralysis. Although there is an effective vaccine, two countries Pakistan and Afghanistan, remain virus-endemic. -World Health Organization

In october of 2004, a teenage girl named Jeanna Giese contracted this virus when she was bitten by a bat. The initial symptoms of infection are fever, head and muscle aches. As the virus progresses, it causes encephalitis, confusion, hallucination, mouth frothing and death. Doctors in Wisconsin were able to save Jeanna by putting her into a deep coma.

"This virus is referred to as H5N1 because of two surface glycoproteins (spikes) hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Although this virus largely causes infection in birds, human cases have been reported mainly in situations of direct exposure to infected birds. While experts disagree, many worry that a pandemic could occur if either mutation or reassortment (most worrisome) give the virus the ability to attach easily to human cells.” The New York Times (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)

This virus is zootic and causes persistent infections in rodents (e.g. deer mice). While the mice do not show infections, humans who contract the virus from rodent droppings can develop pulmonary syndrome or hemorrhagic fever. A 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region was often referred to by the locals as ‘Sin Nombre’. Clinical Microbiology Reviews (2010) 412-441 Rachel’s memory

This virus causes an infection that lies dormant within our neural cells and reactivates when we are feeling a little immunosuppressed (got too much sun and not enough sleep).

This notorious zoonose causes a rapid onset infection. Symptoms include fever, headache, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting and sometimes a rash and external and internal bleeding. Although some people can recover from this disease, it is often fatal. - cdc. gov