Dr. Jeniel Nett comments on pathogen risk of melting permafrost

Dr. Jeniel Nett

A story about an outbreak of anthrax in the Siberian town of Salekhard due to melting permafrost quoted Jeniel Nett, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Infectious Disease. 

The outbreak sickened at least twenty people and killed a 12-year-old boy. 

“The degree of the outbreak was quite surprising,” said Dr. Nett. “This is the first example I can remember in terms of the permafrost releasing a pathogen to this degree.”

The specter of melting permafrost leading to re-emergence of smallpox trapped in currently frozen, buried corpses has some experts concerned, but Dr. Nett said there have been no reported cases yet of smallpox re-awakening in this manner. 

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