"48,500-Year-Old 'Zombie Virus' Poses Pandemic Threat, Scientists Warn"

Scientists warn that melting Arctic ice in Siberia could release ancient "zombie" viruses, posing a potential global health crisis due to the region's rising temperatures. These viruses, known as Methuselah microbes, can remain viable for tens of thousands of years in frozen soil. Experts are collaborating on a surveillance network to monitor and prevent potential outbreaks, as the disappearance of Arctic sea ice due to global warming increases the risk of human exposure to these pathogens. While the likelihood of a prehistoric virus causing a new pandemic is low, virologists emphasize the need to be prepared for such a scenario.