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.

The Virus That Learns

If you don’t have an immune system, you don’t last long in this parasite-riddled world. Your body receives a steady stream of invaders–viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens–which it has to recognize and fight. In many cases, it’s a brutal battle with an ultimate goal of eradication.

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/27/the-virus-that-learns/

Deadly H5N1 Virus Can Kill - Protect Yourself!

About 600 confirmed human infections of the H5N1 virus have occurred since 2003, roughly 40 to 60% of which were fatal.

The virus can not pass easily between humans, but if it were to mutate and acquire that ability, it could potentially cause a pandemic. However in 2011 two researchers performed experiments on the virus that created a highly transmissible form.

One of the greatest concerns over this kind of research with a deadly virus is the possibility of accidental release by a researcher who becomes infected or some sort of spill or containment accident.

Now, the U.S. government has announced new policies for reviewing such potentially risky research before it gets funded. However the US is only one of many countries with labs working on this kind of scary stuff.

We need to be worried.

Credits: Image of virus from 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

Bird Flu is Back

The United Nations warned Monday of a possible resurgence of the deadly bird flu virus, saying wild bird migrations had brought it back to previously virus-free countries and that a mutant strain was spreading in Asia. Its unlikely this bird flu will pose much threat to developed nations but it is important to keep an eye on it.