The Zombie was originally a creation of Voodoun. The Hougan or Manbo, Voodoun priest or priestess respectively, would revive a deceased individual as a servant. The Voodoun zombie would possess no will of its own, and no soul. The Voodoun zombie is only as good or evil as the one who revived them. Destroying the Hougan or Manbo would return them to inanimate dead.
Nowadays, zombies can be created not only by Voodoun and other magic, but by science as well. Some viruses create the zombie state, causing a hunger for human flesh, often brains, and the ability to survive without limbs and in various states of decay. A zombie has no blood flowing in their veins, no heartbeat, cannot taste or smell, a good thing as their own rot creates putrid odour. They also can, but will not always, retain something of an independent mind, but the person who they once were will never return. The servant role and the desire to consume flesh are ingrained in the mindless undead deeper than the memories of life.
It takes only a single zombie created by viral means to cause a mass infestation. When the original zombie kills its victims, it transfers the virus to them, and they rise as zombies themselves. If you are attacked by a zombie, be sure to destroy them before they have the chance to bite you, if at all possible.
Zombification results in a creature that will feel no pain, even with the loss of a limb or multiple bullets in the body. The only way to destroy a zombie efficiently is to destroy the head, or the entire body, traditionally using a shotgun or a grenade. Be aware that in some cases, removed limbs will continue to function independently for a time. Nail them down until the rest of the body is destroyed, they should lose semblance of life then.
A single zombie is not a threat, but in number, they become more dangerous. Do not let yourself become surrounded, fight in a doorway or hall, limiting them to one on one fights, and shooting them in the head. Do not waste time with holy articles or magical plants. They are simply re-animated corpses and the use of those items will be fruitless. If you find yourself overcome by tremendous amounts of zombies, grenades are your best friend.
If all else fails, a large-scale explosion, such as a missile or bomb, may be employed to remove a zombie infestation.
