The Journal of Virology reports on the preservation of influenza A virus genes in the lakes of northeastern Siberia. Traces of viruses, fungi, and bacteria are found in water and ice frequented by migratory birds. Simply put, the glacial ice serves as a preservation agent for these nasty viruses (which are carried by waterfowl). You really can't blame the birds, after all, it's in their nature to migrate when the weather changes.

Viruses are said to degenerate at a much slower rate in very cold temperatures, which is why they're preserved. But what's interesting is that glaciers can preserve these viruses for up to 140,000 years.

Author Scott Rogers postulates, “Ice may act as a reservoir for influenza A viruses, preserving them for later release and infection of animals, including migratory waterfowl and humans." This somehow explains why some influenza virus strains show up, disappear without a trace, then re-appear "virtually unchanged".

At this point, the evidence of high concentrations of influenza A virus H1 genes in glaciers may not be alarming, but there are questions about what will happen if and when the ice melts. With global warming rearing its ugly head, glacier ice thawing isn't really an impossibility. And when ice turns to water, logic dictates that these viruses would be released at an even faster rate, perhaps infecting animals and humans in the near future. Looks like Bird Flu might just be here to stay.