Planet on the brink: new virus has caused real panic

In early spring 2025, alarming headlines appeared in the media claiming that "The White House is preparing for a new pandemic." Various pseudo-experts asserted that about a billion people would be infected with a mysterious virus, and millions of children could die. Moreover, this "deadly dangerous infection" even got a name - SPARS.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the program "How the World Works" with Timofey Bazhenov on REN TV explained whether there is a real threat of a new pandemic.

SPARS - a fictional infection created for training scenarios

In reality, the SPARS virus was invented about ten years ago as part of training material. Epidemiologists used this scenario for practical exercises to improve service responses in case of a real epidemic.

Years later, someone discovered documents describing these exercises, didn't understand that it was a fictional story, and spread them online. Experts emphasize that such training is standard practice, conducted almost annually.

As explained by Andrey Kondrakhin, senior lecturer at the Department of Pharmacology at Pirogov Medical University, such exercises allow services to practice coordination when a new virus appears, reduce the risk of panic, and ensure medical personnel readiness.

Are ancient viruses from mammoth remains dangerous

Recently in Yakutia, a perfectly preserved carcass of a one-year-old mammoth was found - such discoveries in paleontology are extremely rare. Scientists received a unique opportunity to study the cells of the ancient animal and possibly collect material for future cloning attempts.

However, such a finding causes concern at the World Health Organization. It is believed that ancient viruses preserved in permafrost can remain active for thousands of years. According to the WHO, one day such a virus could accidentally escape from a laboratory and trigger a new epidemic.

But, as Kondrakhin notes, this is just fantasy. The so-called "mammoth pox" does not exist - it's a fictional scenario.

Meanwhile, pseudo-specialists use such stories for fraud: citizens are offered to take a test for an "unknown virus" to gain access to their banking information.

Real threats - old infections that are returning

Humanity doesn't necessarily have to wait for a mysterious disease to appear. In Europe, infections that were long considered almost defeated are rapidly returning.

In the Czech Republic, about 30,000 people contracted whooping cough in a year - something not seen for six decades. Outbreaks of measles and polio are being recorded in various European countries.

As the pharmacologist explains, for an infection not to spread, the level of population immunity must be no lower than 80%. When most people are vaccinated, the virus does not have the opportunity to actively circulate. If the vaccination level drops, the incidence begins to rise.