IF YOU’VE EVER watched a zombie movie, you’ve probably found yourself wondering how, nearly 40 years after the original Dawn of The Dead, governments can still be blindsided by an outbreak of the undead.

If that is the kind of question that vexes you, keeps you up at night, you’ll be glad to know that the American Centres for Disease Control (CDC) has an official plan for dealing with such an event.

Originally prepared in 2011 as something of a joke in response to the popularity of The Walking Dead, the plan is still in place.

So, what do they suggest?

First and foremost, they say that everyone should an emergency bag ready at all times, in case a pandemic threatens to wipe us all out.

What should be in the bag?

Cdc Cdc

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
• Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
• Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
• First Aid supplies 

So, basically you should have two of everything you normally have.

Then, before you’re caught in a Resident Evil scenario, you should plan your emergency response with your family. Pick where you’ll all meet, how you’ll get there and who you’ll contact.

And what happens when the worst happens?

The CDC says that when a zombie apocalypse actually occurs, it will be on top of it.

It’s likely that an investigation of this scenario would seek to accomplish several goals: determine the cause of the illness, the source of the infection/virus/toxin, learn how it is transmitted and how readily it is spread, how to break the cycle of transmission and thus prevent further cases, and how patients can best be treated.

Not only would scientists be working to identify the cause and cure of the zombie outbreak, but CDC and other federal agencies would send medical teams and first responders to help those in affected areas.

At least we know they’ll be looking for a cure when we’re huddled under our extra bedclothes drinking gallons of water and eating tins of mandarins.

Read: Would You Survive The Zombie Apocalypse?

Read: Ever wondered how Ireland would fare in a zombie apocalypse?