Dangerous Ancient Pathogens Unleashed as Earth’s Permafrost Rapidly Thaws
A disturbing trend is emerging as Earth’s permafrost rapidly thaws, posing imminent threats to ecosystems and public health. Scientists are especially concerned about the reawakening of ancient pathogens preserved in permafrost, potentially paving the way for a new wave of deadly diseases.
Birgitta Evengård, an infectious disease specialist at Umeå University, expressed her concerns to Newsweek’s Pandora Dewan, stating, “There is a Factor X that we really don’t know very much about.”
Recent discoveries have alarmed researchers, who warn that improved surveillance and investigation of potential spillover events in the Arctic are crucial. The rise in zoonotic diseases, which stem from wild animal populations, is particularly worrisome, as outbreaks are expected to increase in both frequency and diversity, with fatalities projected to rise by nearly 10 percent annually.
The potential for ancient pathogens to emerge from thawing permafrost was exemplified in the 2016 anthrax outbreak in northwest Siberia, which claimed the lives of over 2,000 reindeer and a person. The bacterium Bacillus anthracis, responsible for the outbreak, has evolved to withstand long periods of hibernation. Similarly, studies have revealed the revival of a 50,000-year-old amoeba virus from frozen sediment below a Russian lake, sparking concerns about the likelihood of real-world viral infections.
Researchers from the University of Ottawa have warned that as glacial melt increases, the chances of ancient viruses spilling into susceptible host populations rise. Their study of viruses found in the soil and water of Lake Hazen in the Arctic suggests that the region could become fertile ground for emerging pandemics as ice continues to melt.
The potential re-emergence of deadly viruses, such as smallpox or a novel coronavirus, coupled with the possibility of pathogens impacting critical parts of the food web, underscores the urgency of exploring the unknown factors contained in long-frozen ice.
Amidst the uncertainties, Evengård emphasizes the need for increased attention to permafrost, stating, “There is a lot we don’t know, and what very few people have looked into is the permafrost.”
As Earth’s rapid defrosting continues to pose unprecedented risks, it is essential for global efforts to be focused on understanding and mitigating the potential threats unleashed from thawing permafrost.