Strain is inspired by the virulent hysteria, propagated by the media concerning the multitude of viruses, bacteria, and man-made nanoviruses that threaten to destroy humanity. While these threats may be very real and probably inevitable, there is a humor behind the central figures Munch-like scream. Among the text fragments are excerpts from a woman’s website devoted to her families joyful devouring of her beef roast. There is also a peculiar tale of a man who faces a jail sentence for biting the head off of his pet rooster.