French Scientists revive ‘biggest ever’ virus in Siberia ice for 30,000 years

A Stone Age virus lying dormant for at least 30,000 years has been ‘successfully’ revived by scientists in Siberia.

It may sound like the start of a sci-fi disaster film, but the team of French researchers are celebrating after resurrecting the giant virus.

The pithovirus sibericum was unleashed from a 100ft deep layer of the Siberian permafrost when the ice thawed, becoming infectious again.

The virus, which poses no danger to humans or animals, is so large it can be seen under a microscope, according to AFP.

‘This is the first time we’ve seen a virus that’s still infectious after this length of time,’ said Professor Jean-Michel Claverie, from the National Centre of Scientific Research. Metro