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Evidence of bacterium that causes Lyme disease was also found in the 5000+ year old "Iceman" mummy found in the alps. People have described the disease in the 1
by goda90 1y ago
Evidence of bacterium that causes Lyme disease was also found in the 5000+ year old "Iceman" mummy found in the alps. People have described the disease in the 1700s, 1800s and in the 1900s prior to the outbreak in Lyme. Ticks preserved alongside their animal hosts in 1800s biologic samples also are found to have it. Genetic sequencing of different bacteria samples suggests a much older evolutionary tree than a few decades existence.
- jpadkins 1y agoBioweapon researchers use existing bacteria and virus to enhance them for weapon usage (I.e. coronavius gain of function research). So the fact that the bacterium previously existed in nature does not disprove that a version engineered to be spread via ticks was released.