Scientists Warn ‘Zombie’ Virus Frozen in Arctic Could Trigger Deadly Pandemic
In a chilling revelation, scientists have issued a warning about the potential dangers lurking beneath the frozen ice caps of the Arctic. Buried deep within the permafrost, these “zombie viruses” have the potential to unleash a catastrophic global health emergency if released. The threat has become increasingly concerning as rising temperatures due to global warming continue to melt the frozen ice, allowing these ancient viruses to resurface.
The risks associated with these viruses have prompted scientists to take action. Last year, a geneticist named Jean-Michel Claverie from Aix-Marseille University decided to revive some of these viruses from samples taken from Siberian permafrost. These viruses, which have been frozen for thousands of years, provide valuable insights into the potential dangers they pose.
“At the moment, analyses of pandemic threats focus on diseases that might emerge in southern regions and then spread north. By contrast, little attention has been given to an outbreak that might emerge in the far north and then travel south – and that is an oversight, I believe. There are viruses up there that have the potential to infect humans and start a new disease outbreak,” warns Claverie.
Marion Koopmans, a scientist from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, echoes this sentiment, stating, “We don’t know what viruses are lying out there in the permafrost but I think there is a real risk that there might be one capable of triggering a disease outbreak – say of an ancient form of polio. We have to assume that something like this could happen.”
While it may seem far-fetched that viruses frozen for thousands of years could still pose a threat, research conducted by Claverie’s team in Siberia in 2014 proved otherwise. They discovered that live viruses could still infect single-celled creatures, demonstrating the potential for these ancient viruses to cause harm. In a study published the previous year, several virus strains were identified from seven different Siberian locations, showcasing their ability to infect cultured cells. One virus sample even dated back a staggering 48,500 years.
However, it is important to note that the viruses isolated thus far have only been able to infect amoebae and do not pose a risk to humans. Claverie explains, “The viruses we isolated were only able to infect amoebae and posed no risk to humans. However, that does not mean that other viruses – currently frozen in the permafrost – might not be able to trigger illnesses in humans. We have identified genomic traces of poxviruses and herpesviruses, which are well-known human pathogens, for example.”
The vast expanse of permafrost covering a fifth of the Northern Hemisphere serves as a time capsule, preserving the mummified remains of extinct creatures and ancient viruses. This permafrost, which has long supported the Arctic tundra and boreal forests of Alaska, Canada, and Russia, is now under threat due to the rapid increase in global warming. Meteorologists have observed that the region is heating up several times faster than the average rate of global warming.
The danger lies not only in the melting permafrost but also in the disappearance of Arctic sea ice. As the ice recedes, it opens up opportunities for increased shipping, traffic, and industrial development in Siberia. Plans for massive mining operations are already underway, which will involve drilling deep into the permafrost to extract oil and ores. This process will release an alarming amount of pathogens that still thrive in the frozen ground. Miners working in these areas will be at risk of breathing in these viruses, potentially leading to calamitous consequences.
The threat of these “zombie viruses” is a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of climate change. As we continue to disregard the impact of global warming, we unknowingly unleash ancient threats that could have devastating effects on our modern world. It is crucial that we take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with melting permafrost and prevent the release of these dormant viruses. The fate of humanity may very well depend on it.
