Amid "Zombie Virus" Fears, 13 New Papillomaviruses Found In Antarctica
NDTV
The study detailing the discovery has been published in the journal Virology. The research team said its discovery will help future researchers understand the evolution of papillomaviruses.
Scientists have found 13 new viruses in remote part of Antarctica - and claimed that two of them could have impact on humans. The discovery was made by researchers from Arizona State University (ASU). The team studied Weddell seals for two years in the McMurdo Sound area of the Antarctic discovered the viruses from the papillomavirus family. These microscopic organisms have the capacity to infect humans, reptiles, birds and mammals. The viruses were found in the 109 nasal and vaginal swabs taken by the experts between 2015 and 2017.
The study detailing the discovery has been published in the journal Virology. The research team said its discovery will help future researchers understand the evolution of papillomaviruses.
Melanie Regney, a second-year PhD student and lead author of the paper, said she is excited to find the viruses in creatures ignored by other scientists.
