Scientists around the world, as well as the research, have recently revealed the presence of the so-called “zombie virus” preserved in permafrost for tens of thousands of years. To learn more about the dangers these viruses offer, a group of researchers under the direction of Jean-Michel Claverie, an emeritus professor at the Aix-Marseille University School of Medicine in Marseille, have been researching these viruses. Permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, is common in places like the Arctic, Greenland, Alaska, Russia, China, and Eastern Europe. Permafrost is melting due to rising temperatures, which might cause long-dormant viruses to reactivate.

Zombie Virus Findings

To know about this virus, Claverie’s team has examined the grounds from Serbian permafrost. Their recent research discovered that the virus had been frozen for tens of thousands of years. According to the published report, the virus was over 48,500 years old. Other samples were also found which were 27,000 years old and were recovered from the gut of woolly mammoth bones. Other samples were also found which were 27,000 years old and were recovered from the gut of woolly mammoth bones.

Talking more about their research, the research has important implications for our understanding. The research informs us about the risks that ancient viruses, which have been frozen in permafrost, pose. These viruses can maybe harmful to human beings and other living creatures because of the melting of permafrost. Scientists may take action to stop the spread of these viruses by studying them to better understand the dangers they pose.

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What Did Scientists Find About Zombie Virus?

Researchers at the University of Aix-Marseille have discovered a shocking finding on the possible dangers of ancient viruses trapped in permafrost. Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Genomic Sciences Jean-Michel Claverie, who directed the research at the university, made a shocking discovery. The truth was that DNA viruses that infect Acanthamoeba can stay contagious for up to 48,500 years. Now this news has raised concerns regarding the release of unidentified viruses which thousands. And thousands of years old are released due to the melting of permafrost because of global warming.

Permafrost is the frozen layer of the earth that can be found on land and beneath the ocean’s surface as well. The Arctic, Greenland, Alaska, Russia, China, and Eastern Europe are frequent locations for it. Due to global warming earth’s temperature is rising which is causing the permafrost to melt. Likewise, this might awaken viruses that can be potentially harmful to living beings. Likewise, the scientist’s research paper warns, “As a result, it is possible that when ancient permafrost thaws, undiscovered viruses will be released (our limit is entirely set by the validity range of radiocarbon dating, which is far older than 50,000 years).”

To elaborate on the research, the scientists have identified seven families of the virus. The viruses range from 27,000 to 48,500 years old. The team stated, “We see the traces of many, many, many other viruses”, “So we know they are there. We don’t know for sure that they are still alive. But we reason that if the amoeba viruses are still alive, there is no reason why the other viruses will not be still alive, and capable of infecting their own hosts.”

Is it a Threat to Human Beings?

As the zombie virus was found in the Arctic, where the population density is low. Hence, the risk of human exposure is currently minimal. However, if the melting of permafrost continues the concern will start to grow. Scientists likewise used permafrost to preserve the influenza strain that caused the 1918 pandemic. As well as the smallpox DNA found in 300-year-old Siberian mummies. However, permafrost melting was also attributed to the massive tetanus outbreak that occurred in Russia in 2016.

Scientists have discovered not only viruses but also antibiotic-resistant genes in permafrost. Birgitta Evengrd, professor emerita at Umea University’s Department of Clinical Microbiology in Sweden, stated that better monitoring of the risk posed by possible pathogens in thawing permafrost is necessary but cautioned against becoming overly concerned.

The experts pointed out that the possible cause of the virus should be considered, stating that our immune system has evolved in close contact with the surrounding microbiology. They also warned that if there is a virus hiding in the permafrost that we have not been exposed to for thousands of years, our immune system may not be sufficient to fight it.

Zombie Virus Unknown Consequences

According to Miner at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, it is essential to recognize viruses and other dangers in the thawing permafrost in order to understand the dangers they bring to the Arctic. Quantifying the rate and depth of permafrost melt, which can occur gradually or suddenly and contribute to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, is a challenge. Miner compiled a list of possible dangers in the Arctic permafrost, including buried mining waste and radioactive debris from nuclear testing, in a 2021 study that was published in Nature Climate Change. Although it seems unlikely that ancient viruses would directly infect humans, Miner raised concern about “Methuselah microorganisms” that may affect the current Arctic ecosystems. Miner stressed the need of preventing the thaw and dealing with the larger climate catastrophe.

Experts Saying on Whether the Virus Posesses Any Threat To Human Beings

The quick and straightforward answer to this question is no. Although experts knew about the possibility, they were surprised that scientists could extract a virus that is nearly 50,000 years old. Additionally, they added, the most important finding from this study concerns amoeba infected by viruses rather than people. They said, “Viruses have existed since 50,000 years ago, but they only infect amoebas now. Amoeba and viruses may have been present in the soil samples 50,000 years ago and could have been frozen there.

Furthermore stated, “To revive a virus that might infect us, we would need to have frozen individuals or human remains from 50,000 years ago that perished from a virus.” The expert groups stated that the word virus terrifies many people after the epidemic, despite the presence of viruses all around us. However, they emphasized that the great majority of viruses are beneficial and do not spread disease.

Overall, they assured people that there is no threat to us because of the discovery of a new virus.