Greenpeace blames global warming of anthrax outbreak in Yamal
SALEKHARD. Aug 4 (Interfax) - The climate change is a key cause of the anthrax outbreak, which occurred in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Greenpeace Russia said. "One of consequences of the climate change is increase of frequency of similar infections outbreaks. The corpses of animals killed in epidemics dozens and hundreds years ago, old cemeteries are 'preserved' in permafrost," Greenpeace energy department chief Vladimir Chuprov said in a statement.
He recalled that an anthrax agent maintains viability in the ground up to hundred years and more. He said that permafrost is melting due to warming, the animals ' corpses emerge on the surface, spores develop, and infection spreads again.
"The scientists warn that continuing warming may trigger many other dangerous viruses. For instance, in 2014 the French scientists discovered a virus, which was reactivated after 30,000 years in permafrost," he said.
On July 25, quarantine was put in place in the Yamal district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District over the death of deer of anthrax. A total of 2,300 animals were killed.
An anthrax agent was found in 23 people. A 12-year-old boy has died.
