Melting Arctic Ice in Siberia Poses Global Health Crisis as Ancient ‘Zombie’ Viruses Could Be Released, Scientists Warn
The Arctic region is facing a potential global health crisis as melting ice in Siberia could release ancient “zombie” viruses that have been dormant for thousands of years, according to leading scientists. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has reported that the Arctic’s average temperature has risen at a rate three times higher than the global average, making it the region with the highest rate of average temperature change. This rapid warming has led to concerns about the release of ancient viruses from the permafrost, which covers nearly 20% of the Earth’s northern hemisphere.
Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen, 32°F (0°C) or colder, for at least two years straight. Geneticist Jean-Michel Claverie, professor emeritus of medicine and genomics at Aix-Marseille University, explains that permafrost provides the perfect conditions for preserving biological material due to its cold, dark, and oxygen-lacking environment. He compares it to a yogurt that could still be edible even after 50,000 years. This means that ancient viruses, scientifically known as Methuselah microbes, can remain viable for tens of thousands of years encased in the frozen soil.
Scientists have been collaborating with the University of the Arctic to organize a surveillance network aimed at detecting cases of diseases caused by these ancient micro-organisms as early as possible. The network would provide quarantine facilities and medical services to minimize the potential outbreak and prevent contagious patients from leaving the region. The goal is to avoid the spread of these zombie viruses spiraling out of control.
The disappearance of Arctic sea ice, caused by global warming, poses a significant risk to human health. As the ice melts, it allows for increased shipping, traffic, and industrial development in Siberia. Massive mining operations are being planned, which will involve drilling into the deep permafrost to extract oil and ores. This process could release vast amounts of pathogens that still thrive in the permafrost. Miners working in these areas could potentially breathe in these viruses, leading to calamitous effects.
Scientists believe that the deepest layers of permafrost could be preserving viruses that inhabited the Earth up to a million years ago, predating humans’ most ancient ancestors. This means that if a zombie virus outbreak were to occur, humans would have no natural immunity to defend against it. Professor Claverie warns that our immune systems may have never encountered some of these microbes, posing an additional concern.
While the chances of prehistoric organisms breaking out of their frozen habitat to start a new global pandemic are unlikely, virologists still believe there is room for concern. Marion Koopmans, a virologist at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, warns that there might be a real risk of a disease outbreak triggered by an ancient virus, such as an ancient form of polio. The uncertainty surrounding the potential viruses lying in the permafrost calls for preparedness and vigilance.
In conclusion, the melting Arctic ice in Siberia poses a global health crisis as ancient “zombie” viruses could be released from the permafrost. The rapid warming of the Arctic region has increased the risk of these viruses being unleashed into the environment. Scientists are collaborating to establish a surveillance network to detect and contain potential outbreaks caused by these ancient micro-organisms. While the chances of a global pandemic are low, the possibility cannot be ignored, and precautions must be taken to ensure public health and safety.
