Question: Which substance has recently been described as causing a “zombie outbreak” in New York?
Answer: The cited article reports “a synthetic cannabinoid caused mass intoxication of 33 persons in one New York City neighborhood, in an event described in the popular press as a “zombie” outbreak because of the appearance of the intoxicated persons.” This report goes on to state: “The potency of the synthetic cannabinoid identified in these analyses is consistent with strong depressant effects that account for the “zombielike” behavior reported in this mass intoxication. AMB-FUBINACA is an example of the emerging class of “ultrapotent” synthetic cannabinoids and poses a public health concern.” (Adams AJ et al. “Zombie” outbreak caused by the synthetic cannabinoid AMB-FUBINACA in New York. 2017 NEJM 376(3): 235-242)