Theory:Shanti virus

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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.	+ It sppears that all founders have powers. + Victoria knows the danger of the virus without opening the vial; this could be explained if she could alter the virus through the vial. + There are hundreds of strains with different side effects, and all of then were created in few months; such manipulation occuring in the 70's is hard to believe.
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.
Peter destroyed most of the virus but became infected by it's remains. He will not be aware of it for a while and it will weaken his powers before simply taking because of his absorbed Rapid cell regeneration. However, without Suresh's blood he will sucumb to the virus and lose all of his powers including his base power.	The Virus appeared to sink into Peters hand after he reduced it to ash.	- Actually, the ash residue partially drifted away in a dust cloud, and the remaining ash slid off his hand. No absorption happened. At all. - The virus would not have been able to survive the radiation Peter exposed it to. - The virus is extremely contagious, so if Peter has it, it should have spread already. + It would be an interesting plot twist, especially right now when Peter needs his powers the most to battle the various villians that have escaped from level 5. - Suresh's blood is not a cure for that strain.