Virus Resurrected From 30,000-Year-Old Permafrost

Its back after lying dormant for around 30,000 years

 French scientists are celebrating after successfully revitalizing an ancient virus that had been lying dormant for around 30,000 years in Siberian permafrost. “This is the first time we’ve seen a virus that’s still infectious after this length of time,” said Professor Jean-Michel Claverie, from the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) at the University of Aix-Marseille in France. However we dont need to worry just yet as this virus has no intrest in humans. However this should be a warning. There are few humans living in areas with permafrost right now, but many more are expected to arrive there as the thawing Arctic makes exploitation of natural resources there much easier. The new find suggests that some of the new arrivals may potentially come in contact with infectious agents that have been out of circulation for tens of thousands of years. This doesn't mean the permafrost will necessarily be a hotbed of emerging diseases, but we should take the possibility seriously.

It's not a threat to humans, but does show that ancient viruses can persist for millennia and remain a potential health threat


Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/worlds-largest-virus-was-just-resurrected-34000-year-old-permafrost-180949932/#qdXKUz7lsRxZzUlS.99
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It's not a threat to humans, but does show that ancient viruses can persist for millennia and remain a potential health threat


Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/worlds-largest-virus-was-just-resurrected-34000-year-old-permafrost-180949932/#qdXKUz7lsRxZzUlS.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

It's not a threat to humans, but does show that ancient viruses can persist for millennia and remain a potential health threat


Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/worlds-largest-virus-was-just-resurrected-34000-year-old-permafrost-180949932/#qdXKUz7lsRxZzUlS.99
Give the gift of Smithsonian magazine for only $12! http://bit.ly/1cGUiGv
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

WHO confirms 15th case of deadly new virus

The World Health Organization says a Saudi man infected with a deadly new virus, novel coronavirus (NCoV) has died, becoming the ninth patient in the world to be killed the disease which has so far infected 15. This virus is of great concern to viral experts all over the world who are watching it closely.

Deadly coronavirus can infect human lungs as easily as cold virus

European scientists revealed the new virus easily infects the cells of the airways of the human lung.

In fact, the new coronavirus is as adept at infecting the cells of the upper airways as two cousin viruses -- the one that caused SARS and one that causes common colds, the new study reported. All three are members of the coronavirus family.

The World Health Organization has tweaked its definition for the new coronavirus, in what appears to be an attempt to ensure health officials don't miss mild cases. That comes in the wake of the discovery of a mild infection in a British resident related to the person who just died.

Read more at CTV News: New coronavirus can infect human lungs as easily as cold virus


Credits: Image source freedigitalphotos.net

Could a deadly virus wipe us out - are we rolling the dice?

Credits: image by Stuart Miles on freedigitalphotos.net

Leading virologist Professor John Oxford, from the University of London, says such an outbreak may not be as unlikely as we think. 

A pandemic could kill us all if it gets hold. The symptoms of the new SARS-like coronavirus are a serious cough, a shortness of breath and a rise in temperature. 

Unfortunately, this sounds like the average common cold. But it kills and it can spread

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk



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NCoV Is Lurking In The Shadows

Another person has died from novel coronavirus, or NCoV, This virus was unknown in humans until last year when it suddenly popped up in the Middle East.

There have now been 13 confirmed cases (and probably a few unconfirmed) worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Britain.








Credits: image from freedigitalphotos.net

Ebola outbreak in Uganda said to be under control

World Health Organization officials says that authorities are halting the spread of the deadly Ebola disease. At least 16 people have died so far in this latest outbreak.

Ebola was confirmed in Uganda on July 28, several days after villagers started dying in a remote village. Ugandan officials were at first slow to investigate possible Ebola because the victims did not show the usual symptoms, such as coughing blood.

This is the fourth known outbreak of Ebola in Uganda since 2000, when the disease killed at least 224 people. Ebola is extremely infectious and kills its victims quickly.

Texas Man in Zombie Like Attack Eats Dog

There has been another bizarre “zombie-like” attack in the United States. The latest involves a Texas man who attacked several people, before brutally killing a dog and eating it, according to police.

These are the zombies we need to worry about if there's an emergency situation or crisis! If the economy collapses, if there's a horrific flood or earthquake or super volcano eruption. If there's any kind of collapse of society or a viral outbreak and people are starving because they didn't prepare... this is what we will have to defend our homes and families from.

Make sure your prepper plans include a defense plan. I'll talk about that in a later post and share my plans and ideas. Would like to hear yours!