I recently read an article about the melting of permafrost soils that have been frozen for thousands of years, and as they melt, they are releasing ancient viruses and bacteria that seem to be springing back to life. For example, in August 2016, in the Yamal Peninsula, a 12-year-old boy died and at least twenty people were hospitalized after being infected by anthrax. It was assumed that a reindeer infected with anthrax died 75 years ago and its frozen carcass became trapped under permafrost. Many other diseases are also found to have been released due of this, and they are multiplying. I am concerned about what great impact this could have on the human population, and if there are ways this could be controlled or prevented.
Surely any microbes in permafrost are also present in soil generally, so do not pose a new threat, unless locally concentrated, as in a carcase with anthrax? But there are plenty of other sources of anthrax still around.
Microbes have existed for billions of years because they mutate, reorganize and adapt to specific and supporting environments. Microbes in permafrost remain inactive as long as possible and could be revived under appropriate supporting environment and conditions. Human interactions (inter-regional and geotransfer of wildlife and domesticated animals) may facilitate or encapsulate transfer to populations.
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