World's biggest virus found in Chile

I wish the idiot could have left it in the ocean were it belonged instead of bringing it inland. That is the best statement ever.

MimiVirus (the next smallest isolated virus) uses amoebas as a host and so presents absolutely no threat to humans. I would image this virus would be the same. Its interesting to speculate that such mega viruses may actually be the source of eucaryotic cells nucleus(the cell type of advanced animals as opposed to the nucleau free procaryotic cells) . There is evidence that these super massive viruses are the oldest forms of life on the planet. Br Cornelius

That is the best statement ever. Except it's located just of shore in fairly shallow water. So a decent storm or wave action would bring it to land. Much better to be able to study it and know it's affects and weakness should it infect a water or food supply and prove to be toxic.

Except it's located just of shore in fairly shallow water. So a decent storm or wave action would bring it to land. Much better to be able to study it and know it's affects and weakness should it infect a water or food supply and prove to be toxic. Thanks ShadowSot, never would have thought of that either.

Thanks ShadowSot, never would have thought of that either. I'll be glad to keep rephrasing it until th idea catches on. (Frustration not aimed at you, IamDee1, just in general.)

I'll be glad to keep rephrasing it until th idea catches on. (Frustration not aimed at you, IamDee1, just in general.) Must have forgotten what I read but do appriciate you kindergartening it down for me. lol

Must have forgotten what I read but do appriciate you kindergartening it down for me. lol I didn't think of that as kindergartening it down, just I made a similar reply to Alienated Being earlier. There's also a habit of posters on this forum who just skip over posts in a thread without reading. Don't think your guilty of it, though Skookum might be.

I read every post, always afraid of making myself look stupid by saying something that has already been explained. I did see where you said it was in low water but didn't see anything about possibly working itself into the food and water supply. Once you said that, it was like, "Wow", I never thought of that before, it probably does need tested. That is one of the reasons I love this sight. We all look at things differently and there is a lot to be learned from each other. Thanks again ShadowSot.

It's a Pseudomonas super strain; essentially a rapidly dedifferentiating replicon, hence the incredible complexity and diversity. Unsurprisingly, it's also lab manufactured, bearing all the same hallmarks found in human Echovirus and Pseudomonas fluorescens. It was only found in sea water due to the naturally occurring heparin deposits at sub freezing temperatures.

Right and why would humanity need that? If there would be any posible zombie scenario, well there we have it.. Somewhere in middle east..." Look they found a new virus, strong one, well we need it for our bio-weps.."