There are diseases hidden in ice and they are waking up
Throughout history, humans have existed side-by-side with bacteria and viruses. From the bubonic plague to smallpox, we have evolved to resist them, and in response they have developed new ways of infecting us.
We have had antibiotics for almost a century, ever since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. In response, bacteria have responded by evolving antibiotic resistance. The battle is endless: because we spend so much time with pathogens, we sometimes develop a kind of natural stalemate.
However, what would happen if we were suddenly exposed to deadly bacteria and viruses that have been absent for thousands of years, or that we have never met before?
We may be about to find out. Climate change is melting permafrost soils that have been frozen for thousands of years, and as the soils melt they are releasing ancient viruses and bacteria that, having lain dormant, are springing back to life.
Interesting reading via BBC
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170504-there-are-diseases-hidden-in-ice-and-they-are-waking-up
#bacteria #icemelting #science #ancientdiseases #medicine
Yay! Climate change is a gift that keeps on giving!
ReplyDeleteYeah, evolution. :D Let's see how we fit in. Imho there's actually more hope in pandemic triggered collaboration than in the upcoming narcissistic politics worldwide.
ReplyDeleteA 'common enemy' is often what unites people, no matter how small. This one is very real though, unlike the more superficial prejudices that there currently are
ReplyDeleteHong Kong flu?
ReplyDeleteDidn't need to thaw permafrost to meet the likes of AIDS or Ebola, though. Intuitively with long frozen germs it's as likely for the germs attack powers than for the potential hosts defense powers to reveal obsolete.
ReplyDelete