Ancient sheep virus traced through DNA preserved in medieval manuscripts

Researchers have successfully traced the lineage of an ancient sheep virus by extracting and analyzing viral DNA preserved within medieval manuscripts. The scientific breakthrough provides new insights into the historical presence and evolution of the pathogen.

Highlighting the contemporary relevance of the research, scientists noted that related outbreaks continue to impact agriculture today. Specifically, a current outbreak of sheeppox in Greece is causing significant economic damage, demonstrating that the pathogen remains a persistent global challenge.