Heart Starts Pounding: Horrors, Hauntings and Mysteries
Episode 125: Zombie Illnesses: Rabies, Parasites and Prions
Release Date: June 19, 2025
Host: Kayla Moore

Introduction

In Episode 125 of Heart Starts Pounding: Horrors, Hauntings and Mysteries, host Kayla Moore delves into the chilling world of real-life "zombie" illnesses—diseases that hijack the brain, altering behavior and ultimately leading to death. Drawing parallels with fictional portrayals like The Last of Us and 28 Days Later, Moore explores the terrifying realities of rabies, parasitic infections, and prion diseases.

"Maybe it's a bad day to be a hypochondriac."
— Kayla Moore [00:10]

Rabies: The Classic Zombie Virus

The Story of Gina Gizy

The episode opens with the harrowing account of Gina Gizy, a 15-year-old from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, who contracted rabies after being bitten by a bat during a family mass in 2004.

• Initial Encounter and Bite:
  Gina encountered a distressed bat during mass, which ultimately bit her finger. The immediate injury seemed minor, with her family initially dismissing the severity of the wound.

  "The bat had barely broken the skin on her finger, so Gina didn't really think much of it."
  — Kayla Moore [00:45]

• Progression of Symptoms:
  Three weeks post-bite, Gina exhibited severe lethargy, confusion, vomiting, double vision, and eventually slipped into unconsciousness. Standard tests for meningitis and Lyme disease returned negative results, heightening the mystery of her deteriorating condition.

  "Her family was baffled as Gina's health worsened rapidly."
  — Kayla Moore [02:10]

• Diagnosis and the Milwaukee Protocol:
  A key turning point occurred when Gina's mother recalled the bat bite, leading a pediatrician to diagnose rabies. With rabies being 100% fatal once symptoms appear, Gina's prognosis was grim. However, Dr. Rodney Willoughby, Jr. proposed an experimental treatment known as the Milwaukee Protocol, which involved inducing a coma to halt the virus's progression.

  "Dr. Willoughby wasn't just going to stand there and watch this girl die."
  — Kayla Moore [10:30]

• Miraculous Survival:
  Against all odds, Gina emerged from the induced coma after 16 days, beginning to recover and eventually leading a normal life, albeit with some lasting nerve damage.

  "Gina became essentially a celebrity patient overnight."
  — Kayla Moore [15:45]

Advancements and Ongoing Challenges

While the Milwaukee Protocol provided hope, it wasn't the definitive solution hoped for. Over the next two decades, only 33 individuals survived rabies globally, with many suffering severe disabilities. However, recent developments in 2024 introduced a potential cure in the form of a monoclonal antibody drug tested successfully in mice, offering a glimmer of hope for future treatments.

"Maybe soon we'll be able to say that the original zombie virus has been cured."
— Kayla Moore [21:00]

Toxoplasma gondii: The Behavioral Manipulator

Nina's Transformation

The second case study features Nina, a 14-year-old girl from rural Turkey, who exhibited alarming changes in behavior exacerbated by a parasitic infection.

• Early Symptoms:
  Initially presenting as typical teenage moodiness, Nina's condition escalated to severe depression, loss of communication, and eventually enlarged lymph nodes, which led doctors to suspect cancer.

  "Nina became more and more distracted and then stopped communicating entirely."
  — Kayla Moore [22:30]

• Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis:
  Upon further testing, Nina was diagnosed with an infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite known for its ability to alter host behavior. Treatment with clindamycin not only reduced her physical symptoms but also restored her mental health, showcasing the parasite's profound impact on the brain.

  "Nina not only had less swelling, she had a whole new personality."
  — Kayla Moore [29:15]

Understanding Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that can manipulate the behavior of its hosts. In rodents, it reduces fear of predators like cats, facilitating its own lifecycle by ensuring transmission to feline hosts. In humans, it has been linked to various mental health issues, including schizophrenia and increased risk-taking behaviors.

"Toxoplasma gondii can completely change the host's behavior. It's like it hijacks their brain."
— Kayla Moore [27:00]

Prion Diseases: Chronic Wasting and Beyond

The Mystery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

The final segment of the episode explores Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a prion disease affecting deer and elk, often referred to as "zombie deer disease" due to its gruesome symptoms.

• Initial Research and Outbreak:
  Gene Schoonveld at Colorado State University first identified a mysterious wasting condition in mule deer in 1967. Over decades, the disease spread to wild populations across 36 states and five Canadian provinces, with infected animals displaying weight loss, uncoordinated movements, and aggressive behavior.

  "These emaciated bucks with their antlers lowered and a vacant, glassy look in their eyes."
  — Kayla Moore [31:50]

• Understanding Prions:
  CWD is caused by misfolded proteins called prions, which disrupt normal brain function by inducing other proteins to misfold. Unlike other pathogens, prions are immune to standard sterilization processes and are virtually impossible to eliminate once present.

  "Prions are functionally immortal outside of the body, making them a formidable foe."
  — Kayla Moore [35:20]

Human Risk and Recent Cases

In 2024, two elderly hunters developed Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) after consuming deer from areas afflicted by CWD. While CJD is distinct from CWD, the cases reignited fears about potential zoonotic transmission.

"Humans probably can't get chronic wasting disease, but caution is still advised."
— Kayla Moore [42:10]

Despite these concerns, current evidence suggests that CWD has not crossed the species barrier to affect humans in significant numbers. However, the persistent spread of prion diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) underscores the ongoing threat they pose.

"Mad cow disease led to over 232 deaths, and there may still be cases incubating."
— Kayla Moore [45:30]

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Kayla Moore emphasizes the terrifying reality of these diseases, likening them to the undead due to their profound impact on behavior and their often-fatal outcomes. She encourages listeners to stay informed and cautious, especially regarding animal bites and consuming meat from wild populations.

"Go pet your cats for me. I'm sure you'll be fine."
— Kayla Moore [60:00]

Moore wraps up by inviting listeners to share their own experiences and engage with the Heart Starts Pounding community, reinforcing the podcast’s mission to explore the dark and mysterious corners of real-life horrors.

Key Takeaways

• Rabies remains nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but experimental treatments like the Milwaukee Protocol offer a sliver of hope.
• Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite capable of altering host behavior, with significant implications for human mental health.
• Prion diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease represent a formidable challenge due to their resistance to conventional treatments and sterilization.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kayla Moore [00:10]: "Maybe it's a bad day to be a hypochondriac."
• Kayla Moore [00:45]: "The bat had barely broken the skin on her finger, so Gina didn't really think much of it."
• Kayla Moore [02:10]: "Her family was baffled as Gina's health worsened rapidly."
• Kayla Moore [10:30]: "Dr. Willoughby wasn't just going to stand there and watch this girl die."
• Kayla Moore [15:45]: "Gina became essentially a celebrity patient overnight."
• Kayla Moore [21:00]: "Maybe soon we'll be able to say that the original zombie virus has been cured."
• Kayla Moore [22:30]: "Nina became more and more distracted and then stopped communicating entirely."
• Kayla Moore [27:00]: "Toxoplasma gondii can completely change the host's behavior. It's like it hijacks their brain."
• Kayla Moore [31:50]: "These emaciated bucks with their antlers lowered and a vacant, glassy look in their eyes."
• Kayla Moore [35:20]: "Prions are functionally immortal outside of the body, making them a formidable foe."
• Kayla Moore [42:10]: "Humans probably can't get chronic wasting disease, but caution is still advised."
• Kayla Moore [45:30]: "Mad cow disease led to over 232 deaths, and there may still be cases incubating."
• Kayla Moore [60:00]: "Go pet your cats for me. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Final Thoughts

Heart Starts Pounding skillfully intertwines scientific exploration with gripping storytelling, shedding light on diseases that eerily resemble the undead. Through detailed case studies and expert insights, the podcast underscores the thin line between fiction and horrifying reality.

For more spine-chilling episodes and to share your own horrifying tales, visit heartstartspounding.com/stories. Follow Heart Starts Pounding on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to stay updated with exclusive content.