MEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE DEGRADATION OF THE PERMAFROST ZONE: PROBLEM OF PALEOVIRAL CONTAMINATION

Abstract

We present the concept of a possible global viral infestation associated with the processes of permafrost melting and probability of groundwater contamination with paleoviruses. The most realistic mechanism of the development of this process is considered, as well as possible ways of forming of a new epidemic situation, depending on characteristics of groundwater and surface water use for drinking purposes by the population of the permafrost zone (permafrost). The necessity of in-depth development of large-scale multi-disciplinary researches in order to clarify the pathogenetic significance of paleoviruses in the permafrost zone and assess the need of the development of the composition and the nature of the complex environmental and anti-epidemic measures is substantiated.