Since COVlD-19, scientists have been looking ahead to the next potential global pandemic—and some believe it could come from the Arctic.

As climate change accelerates, permafrost and glaciers are melting, potentially releasing ancient, dormant microbes—often called “zombie viruses”—that have been frozen for tens of thousands of years. Some of these have already been revived in labs, like the Pithovirus sibericum (30,000 years old) and Pacmanvirus lupus (from a 27,000-year-old wolf).

In 2016, thawed anthrax spores from a frozen reindeer carcass led to a deadly outbreak in Siberia. And in 2023, scientists discovered 1,700 ancient viruses inside a glacier in China—most never seen before.

Why it’s dangerous:

Our immune systems may have no defense against these ancient pathogens.

Zoonotic diseases (those that jump from animals to humans) are a major concern.

The Arctic lacks strong healthcare infrastructure, which could delay response times if an outbreak begins there.

Scientists warn: What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic.

As we look towards the year 2025, the potential for a global pandemic originating from the Arctic is a concerning possibility that scientists have been closely monitoring. The effects of climate change on the Arctic region are becoming increasingly evident, with permafrost and glaciers melting at an alarming rate. This thawing of the Arctic ice could potentially release ancient microbes that have been dormant for thousands of years, earning them the ominous nickname of “zombie viruses”.

The revival of ancient viruses like Pithovirus sibericum and Pacmanvirus lupus in laboratory settings has highlighted the very real threat posed by these ancient pathogens. In 2016, a deadly outbreak of anthrax in Siberia was traced back to thawed spores from a frozen reindeer carcass. More recently, in 2023, scientists discovered a staggering 1,700 ancient viruses within a glacier in China, many of which had never been encountered before.

The danger of these ancient viruses lies in the fact that our immune systems may not have any defense against them, potentially leaving us vulnerable to new and devastating diseases. Additionally, the possibility of zoonotic diseases, which can jump from animals to humans, is a major concern in the event of a viral outbreak originating from the Arctic.

Furthermore, the Arctic region lacks the robust healthcare infrastructure necessary to swiftly respond to a widespread outbreak, which could lead to delays in containing and treating the virus. It is important to remember that what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic, as global travel and interconnectedness make it easy for a virus to spread rapidly across continents.

As we move closer to the year 2025, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and prepared for the potential threat of a global pandemic originating from the Arctic. Scientists continue to research and monitor the situation closely, but it is essential that we take proactive measures to mitigate the risks posed by these ancient, thawing viruses.