Arctic zombie viruses in Siberia could spark terrifying new pandemic, scientists warn

[staarker]

A computer-enhanced image of a Pithovirus sibericum isolated from a 30,000-year-old sample of permafrost in 2014

virus.PNG (217.2 KiB) Viewed 1101 times

Humanity is facing a bizarre new pandemic threat, scientists have warned. Ancient viruses frozen in the Arctic permafrost could one day be released by Earth’s warming climate and unleash a major disease outbreak, they say.

Strains of these Methuselah microbes – or zombie viruses as they are also known – have already been isolated by researchers who have raised fears that a new global medical emergency could be triggered – not by an illness new to science but by a disease from the distant past.

As a result, scientists have begun planning an Arctic monitoring network that would pinpoint early cases of a disease caused by ancient micro-organisms. Additionally, it would provide quarantine and expert medical treatment for infected people in a bid to contain an outbreak, and prevent infected people from leaving the region.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... tists-warn

[ricky1874]

This is some scary stuff. Sometimes I wonder do people really realize how dangerous this world actually is. At any given moment, life as we know it could all change

[davemre]

According to AI there's no need to worry. I asked it the question, "What are the odds that Arctic zombie viruses in Siberia could spark terrifying new pandemic?" The response was....

The likelihood of an Arctic zombie virus in Siberia or any other region sparking a terrifying new pandemic is very low. While there are concerns about the potential for viruses and pathogens trapped in permafrost to be released due to climate change, the chances of such a virus causing a global pandemic are considered remote for several reasons:

1. Virus viability: Viruses need a host to survive and replicate. Even if a virus is released from permafrost, it may not be able to infect humans or other organisms effectively, limiting its ability to cause a pandemic.

2. Human immunity: Humans have immune systems that can defend against many viruses, including those that may be released from permafrost. Vaccines and antiviral treatments are also available to help prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases.

3. Public health infrastructure: Countries around the world have established public health systems and disease surveillance programs to monitor and respond to potential outbreaks. These systems are designed to detect and contain infectious diseases before they can become widespread.

4. Global cooperation: International organizations, such as the World Health Organization, work to coordinate responses to global health threats and facilitate cooperation among countries to address pandemics and other health emergencies.

While the idea of a zombie virus or other ancient pathogens causing a pandemic is a popular topic in fiction and speculative science, the scientific community generally considers it highly unlikely. However, ongoing research and monitoring of permafrost environments and emerging infectious diseases are important to better understand and prepare for potential health risks associated with climate change.