European scientists have recently unveiled a startling discovery that could spark fears of another pandemic. In a frozen lake in Russia, they’ve brought back to life a 48,500-year-old virus commonly known as the ‘Zombie Virus.’ The growing concern among these researchers is that the continuous thawing of permafrost induced by climate change in the Arctic region might bring forth unknown health risks.
About the Zombie Virus
The Zombie Virus refers to a set of new pathogens – 13 to be exact – that have startlingly remained infectious despite being trapped in the permafrost for thousands of years. The resurrection of this virus is primarily due to the thawing of the permafrost as global temperatures continue to rise. Each of the 13 viruses discovered has its unique genome, indicating different characteristics and potential impacts.
The most significant of these viruses is the “Pandoravirus yedoma.” Named after the mythical character Pandora, this virus is estimated to be around 48,500 years old. This marks a new record for a reanimated virus with the ability to potentially infect other organisms. The previous record was held by a virus dating back 30,000 years, discovered by the same team in Siberia in 2013.
Causes of the Resurgence
Permafrost, permanently frozen ground that underlies approximately one quarter of the Northern hemisphere, plays a big part in this issue. Climate warming is causing irreversible thawing of the permafrost, releasing organic matter that has remained frozen for up to a million years. A large part of this matter decomposes into carbon dioxide and methane, thereby escalating the greenhouse effect.
This organic matter isn’t just greenhouse gases but also houses revived cellular microbes such as prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes. Most alarmingly, it contains dormant viruses from prehistoric times that are now waking up due to the melting permafrost.
Potential Impacts of the Zombie Viruses
All of the unearthed “Zombie viruses” have the potential to be infectious and pose a “health danger.” This conclusion comes from studying the live cultures of these viruses. Many believe that future pandemics similar in scale and severity to Covid-19 could become more frequent as melting permafrost releases these long-dormant viruses.
The term “microbial Captain America” might sound amusing, but it perfectly encapsulates the epic resurrection story of these prehistoric viruses. The discovery of ‘Zombie viruses’ poses a significant challenge to scientists worldwide in terms of understanding the potential threats they carry and devising ways to counter them. As the climate continues to warm and permafrost thaws further, the likelihood of an encounter with these prehistoric pathogens is becoming increasingly plausible.