The Laptev Virus

Angela nodded, but made no comment. Sarah realized that she, too, must have also known this.

“Now why is this important to us?” asked Drew, rhetorically. “It’s important because if the Laptev virus was also present in those samples, it would mean that its prevalence is more widespread and that it wasn’t just bad luck that the ice core sample was drilled at that particular spot on that day. Russ was able to have the labs in Alaska do some quick tests, under tightly controlled conditions, and sure enough, they were able to confirm that there are virus particles present in samples taken from all over the Laptev Bay area, although the viruses are far less concentrated than they were in the ice core sample that was taken on that fateful day.” Everyone was silent while Drew paused and shuffled through his papers. Angela’s face was grave but otherwise unreadable.

“Since there were virus particles in the other samples, we wondered why more groups working in the Arctic have not become ill. The short answer seems to be what Tally suggested last week: normally when an ice core sample is removed, it is much more solidly frozen, and it is immediately wrapped in strong plastic and insulation to reduce its contact with the air. This is so that there is no contamination of the inside with our outside atmosphere. Upon reaching the lab at the barracks, the ice core samples are kept in protective cases, and are never exposed to the open atmosphere of the barracks, even when they are analyzed. These precautions, which were created for an entirely different reason, must have also served to protect the workers. However, that doesn’t entirely answer the question of why no one ever fell sick before.”

Angela removed a pair of glasses from a red leather case in her purse, as well as a small notebook, and began taking notes.

“Now, before we continue, let’s back up and talk about something else. We sent some e-mails to Dr. Haldor Aamodt, a Norwegian scientist whose team of researchers are the world’s leading experts on Megaviridae. They were obliging and informed us that after a virus has been dormant for a long time, thousands of years in this case, lying buried under a lot of weight, its capsid can become hardened and thickened with layers of hydrocarbons. If this happens, then it is not likely that it will suddenly become virulent the moment it’s removed from its icy tomb.”

Sarah felt a spark of pride flicker in her chest. It was a small thing, really, but it made her feel good. When Drew had asked her that question almost two weeks ago, about whether the capsid might have undergone a biochemical change, she had suggested that he not try to re-invent the wheel by doing a lot of experiments, especially since time was such a limited commodity, but rather that he should reach out to other scientists who might have some answers. He had obviously taken her advice. She had not known about Dr. Aamodt, but she was glad that this kind stranger had responded to Drew’s questions.

“Dr. Aamodt explained that in the other parts of the world where Megaviridae and Giant viruses have been discovered, it had taken some time to ‘bait’ the virus to draw it out. All of the virus particles found had massive capsids, so it made sense to assume that our Laptev virus may have also had a thicker coat at one time. Russ Morrison, the geologist, put us in contact with the labs at Riesigoil-Alaska that still had ice core samples from other sites that had been maintained at -70°C, and they were able to ship us a few samples in which they had detected viral particles.

When we received the ice core samples we were able to confirm that the number of viruses per sample was much lower than the number of viruses found in the ice core sample which infected everyone. But most importantly, the virus particles found in the other ice core samples do have a thicker capsid with multiple overlapping layers of hydrocarbons over them. This means that unless there is something else present which would eat away at those hydrocarbons, thinning the layer that was formed around the capsid, these frozen viruses were not going to be imminent threats to anyone.”

Angela pushed her glasses farther up her nose and scribbled another note.

“So we began doing tests on the new virus particles,” said Tally. “One advantage of Laptev virus and other Megaviridae is that they are so large that it doesn’t take an electron microscope to see them, as it would your average garden-variety viruses which are hundreds or thousands of times smaller.”

“Yes, we’ve actually even gotten a visual of a few of them on a light microscope. It was so cool, though you can’t make out any details at that magnification. They basically just look like a tiny bacillus shapes,” added Drew.