Scientists have revived a number of “zombie viruses” which have been trapped in Siberian permafrost for thousands of years – including one which is nearly 50,000 years old.

The 13 new viruses were identified by scientists who looked at samples of permafrost collected from the Russian province.

One of the viruses had remained infectious after more than 48,500 years in deep permafrost, according to the study led by microbiologist Jean-Marie Alempic from the French National Centre for Scientific Research.

The virus, known as pandoravirus, infects only single-cell organisms and should pose no threat to humans.

The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, notes there has so far been limited research into “live” viruses found in permafrost.

The authors say this “wrongly suggests that such occurrences are rare and that ‘zombie viruses’ are not a public health threat”.

Read more:
The big thaw – the risk posed by melting permafrost
Tipping points that could trigger catastrophe for planet
Major glaciers including Mount Kilimanjaro and Dolomites to disappear by 2050, UN report says

The team from the French National Centre for Scientific Research said further work needs to be carried out to assess what dangers could lie ahead from the risk of viruses in permafrost as climate change causes frozen landscapes to melt.

The study reads: “One quarter of the northern hemisphere is underlain by permanently frozen ground, referred to as permafrost.

“Due to climate warming, irreversibly thawing permafrost is releasing organic matter frozen for up to a million years, most of which decomposes into carbon dioxide and methane, further enhancing the greenhouse effect.

“Part of this organic matter also consists of revived cellular microbes as well as viruses that remained dormant since prehistorical times.”

Related posts:

Facebook under new investigation by competition authority Discovery of new astronomical cataclysm offers answer to mystery dating back 13bn years UK to review sale of chip manufacturer to Chinese-owned firm Space-grown lettuce could help astronauts avoid bone loss Crucial government decisions made over messaging services deleted in ‘many instances’, court hears NASA prepares to power-down Voyager spacecraft after more than 44 years UK to become ‘true space superpower’ with first rocket launch Musk denies affair with Google co-founder’s wife Rats ‘have rhythm’ and ‘love to dance to Lady Gaga’ NASA’s spending $93bn of taxpayer money on a return to the moon – but it has a good case Mr Beast overtakes PewDiePie as YouTube’s most subscribed creator Musk hopes to eventually find new Twitter boss – as he gives staff ‘hardcore’ ultimatum