Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many experts have been thinking about what could cause the next global health crisis. One idea is a possible future threat called ‘Disease X’. But now, new research suggests the danger might actually come from the Arctic.
Scientists are warning that melting ice at the North Pole could release hidden viruses. These are sometimes called ‘Methuselah microbes’ because they have survived in frozen soil and animal remains for thousands of years.
Here’s something to think about: as the Arctic warms and the permafrost thaws, these ancient microbes could enter the environment once again. This raises concerns about whether they could infect humans.Dr. Khaled Abass from the University of Sharjah explains it this way: “Climate change is not just about melting ice. It’s also breaking the natural barriers between ecosystems, animals, and people.” He adds that thawing permafrost could release bacteria or viruses that have been frozen for thousands of years.
To give you an idea, scientists have already revived some ancient microbes in the lab. One example is Pithovirus sibericum, which came from a 30,000-year-old sample of frozen soil.
But that’s not all. Glaciers, like those in Greenland and China, can also hold large amounts of frozen viruses. Scientists predict that most of the world’s glaciers could disappear by 2100, which could release even more of these old microbes.
A good reminder here: in 2023, researchers successfully revived a virus from an amoeba that had been frozen for over 48,000 years.
Last year, scientists also discovered around 1,700 ancient viruses deep inside a glacier in western China. Some of these viruses date back over 40,000 years and have survived several climate changes.
For now, these ancient viruses remain trapped in the ice. But as the planet continues to warm and the ice melts, scientists worry that these microbes could be released into the environment. If that happens, some of them might pose risks to people and animals.