Zombie Virus Real Or Not: Does Zombie Virus Really Exist?
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Sulaiman
- . May 18, 2023
- . Update: May 18, 2023 8:03 pm
Scientists have been warning about the potential dangers of ancient viruses buried in the Arctic’s permafrost, which have been dubbed “zombie viruses.”
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These viruses, preserved in the frozen ground for thousands of years, have the ability to unleash deadly diseases that the present population may not be equipped to handle.
The threat has become more significant due to rising temperatures caused by global warming, leading to the melting of the permafrost.
To gain a better understanding of the risks associated with these zombie viruses, a French scientist conducted a study in which some of these viruses were revived from samples taken from Siberian permafrost.
Approximately one-fifth of the Northern Hemisphere is covered in permafrost, which has acted as a time capsule, preserving ancient viruses and the remains of extinct creatures.
The purpose of reviving these bacteria and viruses is to assess the level of threat they pose to humans.
The researchers acknowledged that while an epidemic caused by a revived prehistoric pathogenic bacterium could potentially be controlled with modern antibiotics.
The situation would be far more disastrous if an ancient unknown virus were to be revived. Currently, there are no specific treatments or vaccines available for such viruses.
Anthrax outbreaks in reindeer have already been linked to the melting of Siberia’s permafrost, as hot summers have caused old anthrax spores from animal graveyards to resurface.
In this recent study, French researcher Jean-Michel Claverie and his team isolated and revived several ancient viruses, including a giant virus strain called Pithovirus, which was found in a sample containing mammoth wool.
The scientists cautioned that as permafrost continues to thaw due to global warming, the melting may release unknown pathogens.
The longevity of these viruses once exposed to outdoor conditions, as well as their ability to encounter and infect suitable hosts, remains uncertain.
However, the risk is expected to increase with the acceleration of permafrost thawing and the growing human population in the Arctic due to industrial activities.
The existence of these zombie viruses in the Arctic permafrost highlights the potential threats associated with global warming and the melting of ancient ice.
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Understanding and monitoring these viruses are crucial to mitigate any potential risks they may pose to human and animal health in the future.
