Yay Science: 'Zombie' Virus Reanimated After 50,000 Years In Siberian Permafrost

quote:

---

French researchers have reanimated over a dozen prehistoric viruses which have been trapped deep within the Siberian permafrost for nearly 50 million years, according to a pre-print study.

---

quote:

---

After obtaining seven ancient permafrost samples, scientists from the French National Centre for Scientific Research were able to document 13 never-before-seen viruses that had been lying dormant in the ice, Science Alert reports.

---

quote:

---

The scientists, who called these "zombie viruses" a public health threat, pointed to global warming as an ongoing risk that could result in the release of deadly pathogens from long ago.

---

quote:

---

Some of these “zombie viruses” could potentially be dangerous to humans, the authors warn. And, in fact, thawing permafrost has already claimed human lives. In 2016, one child died and dozens of people were hospitalized after an anthrax outbreak in Siberia. Officials believe the outbreak started because a heat wave thawed the permafrost and unearthed a reindeer carcass infected with anthrax decades ago. About 2,300 reindeer died in the outbreak.

---