Ancient Viruses Resurrected by Global Warming

As the planet warms due to climate change, long-dormant viruses, known as "zombie viruses," are waking up after being frozen for thousands of years in the Arctic permafrost. Scientists have extracted and revived ancient viruses from the Siberian permafrost, highlighting the potential threat to public health. The melting permafrost could release not only greenhouse gases but also dormant pathogens, posing a danger to humans, animals, and plants. Recent incidents, such as the activation of anthrax spores and the successful reanimation of a 46,000-year-old roundworm, demonstrate the risks associated with these ancient viruses. The ubiquity of these viruses underscores the need to understand and address this emerging threat.