How to survive zombie apocalypse

If these guys show up, the US 'Zombie Task Force' says you should sit tight with your food and passport. We say you might need a gun, too. Photo / Supplied

A "Zombie Task Force" acting for the US Government has released official advice on how to survive an undead apocalypse.

In a blog post, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has put together tips on how to avoid becoming supper in World War Z.

The US agency, normally responsible for preventing pandemics, decided to release advice to highlight its other campaigns on pandemics and hurricane warnings.

And when there is no more room in hell and the dead walk the earth, it seems that the advice to follow is very similar to guidance for natural disasters - have supplies and have a plan.

Dave Daigle, a spokesman for the Zombie Task Force, said the idea stemmed from how to interest Americans in hurricane preparedness.

"I worry we try the same thing every year and I didn't know how many people we were actually engaging," Daigle said.

"Let's face it - preparedness and public health are not sexy topics," he told the Los Angeles Times.

Following the earthquake in Japan, the CDC saw a big traffic spike on its Twitter account after someone asked if radiation emissions could set off a zombie attack, Mr Daigle said.

"That phrase popped into my head: zombie preparedness." He took the idea to the CDC's director of preparedness, Dr Ali Khan, who approved it.

So what do you need to do before zombies (or hurricanes or pandemics) actually happen?

"In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way," the CDC post says.

The CDC advises that in the event of the dead rising from the grave to eat the living, you should "sit down with your family and come up with an emergency plan".

The CDC says you need an emergency kit in your house. But there is sadly no mention of chainsaws, sniper rifles or shotguns - the CDC would much rather have you hiding from the infected than destroying their brains.

It does include water, food, and other supplies to get through the first couple of days before survivors can locate a zombie-free refugee camp - providing there are any out there.

You can also implement this plan in case of a flood, earthquake, or other emergency, the CDC says.

And the blog post says that if zombies did start roaming the streets, CDC would conduct an investigation much like any other disease outbreak. If there were any of them left, of course.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS YOU WILL NEED

* Water (3.5 litres per person per day).

* Food (non-perishable).

* Medication.

* Tools and supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery radio).

* Sanitation and hygiene.

* Clothing and bedding.

* Important documents.

* First aid (although you are dead if a zombie bites you).

OPTIONAL

* A gun and ammunition.

* A melee weapon (axe, shovel, cricket bat, hatstand).

* Body armour and a crash helmet.

* A tank.

READ THE BLOG

http://goo.gl/Rf1Lp

- staff reporter