Kathmandu, June 26. A team of researchers from the US and Australia has revealed that an ancient coronavirus epidemic broke out in East Asia more than 20,000 years ago.

In the research study published in the Current Biology Journal, the scientists have described that when a virus enters our body, then it interacts with living cells, and uses our genetic materials to replicate itself. During this interaction, the virus leaves its traces in our DNA. 

The study involved a detailed examination of the genetic makeup of more than 2,500 people belonging to 26 different populations around the world. The examination revealed the presence of genetic imprints of ancient coronavirus among 5 modern-day populations living in China, Japan, and Vietnam.

The traces of 42 virus-interacting proteins (VIP) indicated that the earliest encounter of humans and coronavirus occurred more than 20,000 years ago.

Lead author Dr. Yassine Souilmi of the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences said, “We found VIP signals in five populations from East Asia and suggest the ancestors of modern East Asians were first exposed to coronaviruses over 20,000 years ago.”

‘The VIPs are primarily active in lungs and they interact directly with the virus underlying the current pandemic’ Souilmi added.

Click here to read the detailed research article entitled “An ancient viral epidemic involving host coronavirus interacting genes more than 20,000 years ago in East Asia” published in The Current Biology Journal on June 24, 2021.