Could A Werewolf Virus Be Transmitted Through Bite? (Halloween Special)
Channel: New York Hall Of Science
Date: 2016-10-29

Popular series like Harry Potter and Twilight have kept werewolves at the forefront of pop culture, but werewolf lore has actually been around for hundreds of years. Throughout history there have been myths and folklore regarding werewolves and the story is almost always the same. A person is bitten by another werewolf and is forced to become a half man half wolf
beast whenever the full moon rises.  Now if so many people have been writing about it for so long, is there any truth to the werewolf myths? Is there really a werewolf virus that can be transmitted through a bite? If so, does this mean I’m going to need to get another rabies shot?
Here’s everything you need to know about the werewolf virus.
Some of you may be thinking “there’s no such thing as a werewolf virus, this is real life not Twilight.” 

Well that’s not entirely true.  In 1537 a man named Petrus Gonsalvus was born with a condition called hypertrichosis universalis.

You may recognise it by it’s more popular name the “werewolf syndrome.” Its an extremely rare condition that causes excessive hair growth all over the body. There are two classifications of the condition: congenital and acquired. In cases of congenital hypertrichosis the hair growth is caused by a genetic mutation and is present at birth. In cases of acquired hypertrichosis the hair growth is caused by certain drugs or cancers and can be treated. There have been about 50 cases of hypertrichosis reported since Gonsalvus’ death.


Hypertrichosis isn’t the only werewolf syndrome out there. Another 
famous one is called clinical lycanthropy. Now lycanthropy is the fictional name for the condition that makes people werewolves. Symptoms include shapeshifting into a wolf, the desire to eat people, and howling at the moon.


Yeah that’s the one. Clinical (emphasis on clinical) lycanthropy is a psychiatric
syndrome where a person believes they are or can transform into an animal.


People suffering from it have reported turning into frogs, bees, and, of course, wolves. Doctors believe it can caused by a psychotic episode and it can be linked to other mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
So yes there are “werewolf” syndromes that cause symptoms similar to what is described in werewolf folklore. However, none of these actually turn a human into a wolf and none of these syndromes are transmitted by bite. So the answer to the big question, is there a werewolf virus that can be transmitted through bite is no. (Sorry Team Jacob fans) If you’re
interested in horror movie special effects or the science of some of your favorite monsters check out the New York Hall of Science. Have a Happy Halloween.

Producer: Gabriella
Director/Cam A: Liza 
Talent: Gabriella 
Cam B: Yvonne 
Audio: Yvonne Chan 
Editor: Liza 

MUSIC 
Abandoned Cemetery -- Horror/Background -- Royalty Free Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMDk3q27NgQ&index=6&list=PL904AuFDEgejHp-pu5oWzj4nJTCn1WdYL