'Zombie viruses' trapped in Arctic ice could unleash deadly new pandemic. Here is what we know

If media reports are to be believed, the melting Arctic permafrost could unleash ancient zombie viruses and trigger a catastrophic global health emergency. Expressing his concerns, geneticist Jean-Michel Claverie, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Genomics at Aix-Marseille University, told 'The Guardian', "We now face a tangible threat and we need to be prepared to deal with it. It is as simple as that."

Ancient micro-organisms

Experts at the University of the Arctic, an international educational and research cooperative, are working on establishing a monitoring network to help identify cases of diseases caused by the ancient micro-organisms before their spread can spiral out of control. It would also provide quarantine facilities and medical services for those infected to help minimize a potential outbreak, including preventing contagious patients from leaving the region.

'Zombie viruses'

Reports suggest that Methuselah microbes, also known as 'zombie viruses' can remain viable for tens of thousands of years encased in the frozen soil, which covers nearly 20% of the Earth’s northern hemisphere.

Modern humans have no natural immunity

Scientists and medical experts also believe the deepest layers of permafrost could be preserving viruses that inhabited the Earth up to a million years ago. It was long before humans’ most ancient ancestors made their first appearance on the planet some 300,000 years ago. So, modern humans have no natural immunity against the prehistoric viral invaders.

Jean-Michel Claverie said, "Our immune systems may have never been in contact with some of those microbes, and that is another worry." He said further, "The scenario of an unknown virus once infecting a Neanderthal coming back at us, although unlikely, has become a real possibility."

FAQs:

What is a 'zombie virus'?
'Zombie viruses' are those viruses that can remain viable for tens of thousands of years encased in the frozen soil, which covers nearly 20% of the Earth’s northern hemisphere. They can spread diseases and modern humans have no natural immunity against these prehistoric viral invaders.

Why have modern humans no natural immunity to the 'zombie virus'?
The deepest layers of permafrost could be preserving viruses that inhabited the Earth up to a million years ago. It was long before humans’ most ancient ancestors made their first appearance on the planet some 300,000 years ago. So, modern humans have no natural immunity against the prehistoric viral invaders.