Zombie (A-Virus)

The zombies that appear in the CG-animated film Resident Evil: Vendetta are the result of a mutation caused by the A-Virus, a mutagenic viral agent developed by bioterrorist Glenn Arias. Like the human victims of the T and C-Viruses, humans infected with Animality undergo a degree of physical and neurological decay, becoming mindless, shambling monsters that are driven by the instinct to feed on living flesh.

There are some notable differences between A-Virus zombies and those created via other viruses. The first significant difference is the manner in which victims are infected; the A-Virus exists as three different strains: Latent, Trigger and Vaccine. The Latent strain is introduced into the body via contaminated water and remains dormant until it comes into contact with the Trigger strain. The Trigger strain is airborne and released as a gas, beginning the mutation process when inhaled. Transformation from human to zombie is rapid, occurring in mere seconds. Finally, the Vaccine strain is used by those who have deployed the virus as a means of letting the zombies identify friend and foe; infected subjects will ignore those who carry the Vaccine, granting terrorists who use the virus safety from their own weapon.

The behaviour of A-Virus zombies is similar to that of other zombies; they are driven to feed on living flesh and blood and will attack in large groups. However, these zombies are somewhat more nimble than other zombie types, possessing a greater degree of agility. When agitated by injury or loud noise, they will advance on the source of their agitation with increased speed, viciously mauling and even pouncing on attackers.

Lastly, unlike victims of the T or C-Virus, zombies infected with the A-Virus can be cured. An airborne version of the Vaccine strain was released upon New York after Glenn Arias launched his attack on the city. The airborne vaccine caused visible reversion of the virus' symptoms, restoring all remaining zombies to humanity with their previous mental faculties intact.