Bloonoa Virus

"Being reanimated versions of otherwise-inanimate inflatable objects, Bloons are entirely independent of food and water. Nor do they suffer from the other typical ailments encountered in conventional warfare, such as fatigue, loss of morale, sleeplessness, or a majority of diseases. Monkeys do. We had to find a way to turn the tables on our inflatable foes, something to make Monkeys become completely self-sufficient organisms, totally independent of supplies and even oxygen. With this idea, the Bloonoa Virus was born. It is a thanatological pathogen capable of reanimating Monkeys as Bloon-thirsty undead creatures. However, early tests had some major problems, such as when one time a test subject attempted to attack one of our scientists when he was examining him. After years of tedious genetic modification, we finally have perfected a strain of the virus that not only reanimates its host but leaves certain intellectual personality processes intact, including those that allow the host to improvise, obey orders and recognize fellow Monkeys as anything other than prey. Due to Monkey Rights protocols, the use of this virus is restricted to terminally-ill or mortally-wounded patients who volunteer for the project. Nevertheless, these Monkey Zombies will become a useful asset to the Monkey Empire, especially in situations where it'd be dangerous to send living forces such as hazardous environments or during underwater raids. May the Monkey God be with us all."

- Dr. Monkey

The Bloonoa Virus is a pathogen that appears in BTD7: Planet of the Apes. It is the source of how the Monkey Empire was able to create Monkey Zombies.

Creation
The Bloonoa Virus was made to put Monkeys in equal parity with their inflatable enemies, as the Bloons do not require food, water, or sleep. An army of Bloons will not suffer from supply degradation, loss of morale, most diseases, or fatigue. As of how the virus was created, the methods of which involve genetic modification of pre-existing viruses and infusing them with a bit of dark magic.

Symptoms
Infecting a susceptible organism to any pathogen will almost always show symptoms.

Early symptoms include clotting of the wound, fever, joint pain, polyphagia, and hypersalivation. A few hours later, they worsen to paralysis, tremors, and confusion, followed by coma and death. Afterwards, the "dead" Monkey reanimates into what is called a Monkey Zombie.

Effects on Bloons
The Bloonoa Virus also reanimates Bloons as undead minions of their Monkey counterparts. As of how the Monkey Zombies are able to control the undead Bloons is unknown. More research is underway.

Transmissions
Transmission involves only through fluidic contact, almost always through being bitten by a Monkey Zombie. Monkey Zombies usually target Bloons to attack, but Monkey-to-Monkey transmission is possible, though such situations have only been seen a few times. Zoonotic transmission has been proven impossible, as the Bloonoa Virus repels any and all scavangers. Mosquitoes, ticks, lice, and other external parasites are also repelled by the virus.

Undead features
Unlike their extradimensional counterparts, most of the cognitive functions the zombies had while they were alive are preserved. Monkey Zombies can still climb, speak (although in a much more hoarse, distorted voice), jump, recognize other Monkeys, and improvise. Monkey Zombies feel virtually no pain whatsoever; one zombie has been recorded to been hit by a rocket launcher and not feel anything other than "a little push". Evasive reflexes remain in the simian zombie mind. What doesn't remain, however, is the notorious emotion that is fear. Whatever phobias or fears the infected had while still alive are destroyed utterly once they become the undead. Anxiety, stress, anger, bias, and despair are also reduced to nothing in a Monkey Zombie, though they do retain small levels of empathy, sympathy, and compassion. However, Monkey Zombies have their disadvantages; they can't regenerate on their own if damaged; they rely entirely on external thanatoregenerative fluids to repair their bodies. They also have their agility and speed reduced by about 35%. Although they do recognize loved ones, their romantic desires are 99.99999% weaker than their living counterparts. The reproductive organs of Monkey Zombies are also necrotic and incapable of producing any form of gamete whatsoever. Monkey Zombies slowly decay over a couple of years. If not regularly immersed in preservative fluid such as formaldehyde, Monkey Zombies will eventually decay into nothingness.

Trivia

 * The Bloonoa Virus is based off two thanatological pathogens from different universes: the Necroa Virus from Plague Inc. and the Solanum virus from the Zombie Survival Guide.