Glacier Melting Caused By Rising Temperatures Poses Threat To Public Health By Releasing Previously Trapped Viruses

A new study that conducted genetic testing on glacier runoff in Lake Hazen suggests that due to rising temperatures and glacier melting, it is more likely that viruses trapped inside the ice could become released and potentially become a global health hazard. The researchers sequenced the DNA and RNA in the samples and assessed the viruses that were present in the samples. They found that the risk of viruses spilling over to new hosts was higher at locations close to where large amounts of glacial meltwater flowed in. 

To read the full article by The Guardian by Linda Geddes, click here.