Kathmandu, Feb 7: Recent findings in Tibet’s melting glaciers have unveiled ancient threats, including a 15,000-year-old virus, raising concerns for countries like India, China, and Myanmar. The discovery underscores the potential risks associated with climate change-induced glacier melting, as ancient organisms, viruses, and bacteria resurface from permafrost.

Scientists, including microbiologists from Ohio State University, made the alarming discovery near the Gulia Ice Cap on the Tibetan Plateau. The virus, along with dozens of other species, was found buried 22,000 feet above sea level under the melting glaciers. Of the 33 viruses discovered, 28 were previously unknown to science, highlighting the challenges in combating infections with no known cure.

Zhi-Ping Zhong, one of the researchers, emphasized the potential risks to human health posed by these ancient viruses, as they have adapted to extreme conditions over millennia. Matthew Sullivan, another scientist involved in the study, noted that the viruses exhibit resilience to various temperatures and weather conditions, potentially posing a threat to global health.

The rapid melting of glaciers in Tibet due to climate change has accelerated the release of ancient microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, further complicating the environmental and health implications. Last year alone, scientists discovered a thousand new species of bacteria in Tibetan glaciers, with the majority being entirely unknown to science.

With 82 percent of the bacteria species being completely new, scientists are confronted with the challenge of understanding and mitigating the potential risks associated with these ancient pathogens. As climate change continues to drive glacier melt, there is a growing urgency to monitor and address the emerging threats posed by ancient microorganisms re-emerging into the environment, potentially leading to the emergence of new diseases.