Theory:Shanti virus

Main Article Theories about the "Shanti virus" Main Discussion

The following fan theories are about the "Shanti virus".

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
The virus was either created by, or can be controlled by the Company.	None	+ Viruses haven't got a certain explanation to their origins, so it would be likely that the virus was created by someone. + Bob was very eager to hire Mohinder to the Company to research the virus, using Shanti's name to pique his interests. + Bob hinted that Mohinder would be famous if he cured a virus that spread to the general population. • The Company would have a vested interest in a virus that affects evolved humans. Some members of the Company are evolved humans and Bob implies that much of the Company's resources come from his ability. + Victoria was the bio-engineer (and possibly having a power connected to bio-engineering) who manipulated so many different versions of the virus in such a short time.
Maya is the carrier of the new virus and Alejandro is the new cure.	None.	+ Maya's ability is infecting people some kind of virus and this one affects humans also. + this could explain why there was not only evolved humans affected by the virus in the future that Peter saw. + Sylar wants to kill Alejandro so that could be why in the future that there was no cure. Sylar wanted to use Maya as "his new shiny toy". - It has been revealed (Powerless) that the virus was an actual substance, and not Maya's power.
Peter did not actually destroy Strain 138. His radiation just caused it to mutate.	None	+ Radiation is known to cause mutations. + The dust on his hand could have just been the remains of the container the virus was kept in and Peter's own immolated flesh. - Radiation destroys. The virus would not have survived. - Such a plot twist would be contradictory to the meaning of Heroes. - It would be physically impossible for organic molecules to survive the immense heat that was generated by the radiation, which was enough to completely boil the water containing the virus and turn the vial to ash.
Strain 138 was created by Victoria Pratt's ability.	None	+ Appears that all founders has powers. + Victoria knows the danger of the virus without open the vial, this could be explained by the fact that she could alter the virus through the vial. + Can be understood that there is hundreds of strains with differents side effects, and all of then were created in few months, such manipulation is hard to believe to be done in 70's.
The strain of the virus in Niki's body will evolve.	None	+ Niki has super strength, thus, by combining the Shanti virus with herself, a "super strength virus" could result. - Niki may be dead.