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