Siberia Is Dealing With An Anthrax Outbreak, And Global Warming Is To Blame | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Siberia Is Dealing With An Anthrax Outbreak, And Global Warming Is To Blame

Rising temperatures have caused an epidemic that sounds more like science fiction than real life.

18
Siberia Is Dealing With An Anthrax Outbreak, And Global Warming Is To Blame
CNN

Many people still believe that global warming is nothing more than a myth, cooked up to destroy big business and pull loose the very fiber of the first world. Citizens in Siberia, however, may have a different story to tell. Siberia has faced an unusually hot summer this year, rising to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above the average in some areas. The unbearable heat has triggered a list of strange phenomena including wildfires, record flooding, natural moon bounces (Enormous pockets of carbon dioxide and methane trying to escape the soil as shown in the video below), and now the revival of a previously frozen anthrax causing bacteria.

What Is Anthrax, And How Did This Happen?

Anthrax is actually a disease caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can come in four forms: cutaneous (skin), gastrointestinal, and pulmonary (inhaled). In humans, cutaneous anthrax is the most common and pulmonary is the rarest and most severe.

There have been roughly 12,000 reported deaths of reindeer in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region of Siberia, originally attributed to the heat. Scientists have now confirmed that the deaths are due to an anthrax outbreak in the area, and suspect that it stems from weakened reindeer consuming the infected rotting flesh of a thawed reindeer carcass. Rising temperatures in the area have began thawing the tundra, and with the thawing of the ice comes the release of carcasses and other matter that has been frozen for many years. Anthrax causing bacteria has been known to survive for up to a century, and the carcass that is believed to have started the outbreak is only 75 years old.


Since this discovery, there have been 40 people hospitalized who are believed to have been infected. Moscow laboratories have not confirmed whether or not the patient's illnesses were caused by anthrax, but they are being treated as if they have. According to Anna Popova, chief state sanitary doctor of Russia, authorities will soon begin sanitation of the area and officials have began a mass vaccination of all reindeer in the area.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

70108
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3784
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7867
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments