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What was the virus 80000 years ago?

Published in Ancient Viruses 2 mins read

Around 80,000 years ago, a sub-strain of the Human papilloma virus (HPV) was transmitted from Neanderthals to humans.

Neanderthal Virus Transmission

Research indicates that this specific transmission of a Human papilloma virus sub-strain occurred approximately 80,000 years ago. This reveals a fascinating aspect of the interactions between early humans and Neanderthals, demonstrating how viruses can jump between different populations.

Key Findings:

  • Virus: A sub-strain of Human papilloma virus (HPV).
  • Timeframe: Approximately 80,000 years ago.
  • Source: Transmitted from Neanderthals.
  • Recipient: Humans.


Implications of the Discovery

This finding highlights the potential for interspecies transmission of viruses and how such historical events might have shaped the genetic diversity of modern human viruses. It also gives us a glimpse into the health challenges faced by early human populations, and how their interactions with other hominid species like Neanderthals could have directly impacted their susceptibility to diseases.

Aspect Detail
Virus Human papilloma virus (HPV) sub-strain
Transmission Neanderthals to Humans
Time Frame ~80,000 years ago
Significance Cross-species transmission, impact on human health


Understanding the history of virus transmission, such as this event, is crucial for the development of future preventative measures and treatments against viral diseases.

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