This has raised concerns among virologists that the Arctic could become the source of the next global pandemic. According to their hypothesis, this new outbreak is caused by a virus that was dormant in the Siberian permafrost for more than 48,500 years. Because of the increase in average worldwide temperature, it is also the “oldest ever virus” to reappear in modern times. There are seven different types of viruses in the permafrost, and one of them, the Pandoravirus (named after the mythical figure Pandora), has recently become active.
Pandoravirus yedoma is the youngest of the two viruses, and it is the most recent to have been revived after being frozen for 27,000 years. Although the resurrected virus poses no threat to humans, scientists warn that other viruses that are becoming active once again due to melted ice could be “disastrous” and lead to new pandemics. It is the second largest known viral genus, after pithovirus, and the first of its kind to be discovered in 2013.
Since Pandoravirus is exactly one micrometer in length and half a micrometer in width, it should be visible under a light microscope. This 48,500-year-old artifact was discovered in permafrost 52 feet (16 meters) below the lake floor of Yukechi Alas in Yakutia, Russia. Prior to this announcement in 2014, Professor Claverie and his group had already successfully thawed and resurrected two viruses that had lain dormant in permafrost for more than 30,000 years.
Amoebas, which are single-celled organisms, are susceptible to infection by all nine viruses. However, plants and animals are not susceptible. However, the experts warned that other viruses currently stored in cold storage pose a significant risk to plant and animal life, including humans. Professor Claverie and his team recently published a paper arguing that it is a serious threat to public health if bacteria or archaea that have been dormant in permafrost for millions of years suddenly become active again.
