Scientists from the French National Centre for Scientific Research have recently uncovered more than a dozen ‘zombie viruses’ from Russia’s Siberian permafrost. Their study has been posted on ‘bioRxiv’, an open access preprint repository for the biological sciences. As per the study, one of these viruses, Pandoravirus yedoma, is more than 48,500 years old, whereas other viruses also are tens of thousands of years old. According to a researcher, Jean-Marie Alempic, these microbes would pose a significant danger to public health if released into the world.
Earlier, the main concern of climate change was the number of greenhouse gases (GHGs) being released from the frost melting in the Northern Hemisphere. However, now the concern is about the release of these microbes buried deep under the permanent frozen zone, called the permafrost.
Zombie Virus
Zombie virus is the term given to a virus that is frozen in ice and is, therefore, dormant. Zombie virus does not turn one into a zombie, similar to those in horror movies and shows. However, in sync with the analogy, zombie viruses are ‘undead’ like the fictional zombie, and can come back alive and active under certain circumstances.
The Research
According to the preliminary report, global warming is irrevocably thawing enormous covering of permafrost, the permanently frozen ground that covers one-quarter of the Northern Hemisphere. This thawing can release organic materials frozen for up to a million years and holding deadly germs as well. Some part of this organic matter also consists of revived cellular microbes, like prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes, viruses, etc., dormant since prehistorical times.
Threat from the Virus
Pandoravirus yedoma (P. yedoma) may infect other creatures. It was discovered at the bottom of a lake in Yukechi Alas, Yakutia, Russia. Earlier, the scientists had discovered a 30,000-year-old virus in 2013. These researchers used live single-cell amoeba cultures and said that all these viruses still had the potential to become infectious pathogens.
There are other viruses also which are located in mammoth wool and the intestines of a Siberian wolf, and were buried beneath the Siberian permafrost.
Another threat is that ancient permafrost would release these unknown viruses upon thawing. Therefore, more study is needed to assess the danger that these infectious agents could pose as they are eventually released into the atmosphere and could claim human lives as seen previously. In 2016, an anthrax outbreak in Siberia had led to the death and hospitalisation of humans. That outbreak possibly had started after a heatwave thawed the permafrost and unearthed a reindeer carcass that was infected with anthrax, decades ago.
In the context of global warming, permafrost thawing would keep accelerating, as the Arctic region is getting more polluted due to industrial ventures.
Precautions
Despite all these threats, the researchers also state that there is no harm done by reviving these viruses for experiment as the strains that were studied mainly infected only amoeba microbes. However, prevention is better than cure. We all have learnt a lot by the COVID-19. So, we must be prepared if it comes to protecting ourselves from any unknown viruses. Building a healthy immune system, following hygienic practices, and getting regular health check-ups are some of the best practices to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
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