Chinese scientists have discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, that has the ability to infect human cells, raising concerns about its potential risks.
A research team led by virologist Shi Zhengli, often called “Batwoman” for her expertise in bat viruses, uncovered the virus while studying coronaviruses in bats. Shi is known for her work at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has been at the center of debates about the origins of COVID-19.
HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the same group of viruses as MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), another deadly coronavirus that has infected humans in the past. Scientists found that this new virus can latch onto human cells using ACE2 receptors—the same way SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind COVID-19) does.
So far, researchers have only studied HKU5-CoV-2 in lab experiments. When tested in human cell cultures and mini-organ models, the virus successfully infected the cells. However, scientists haven’t yet determined whether the virus could cause illness in humans.
According to the study, bat viruses like HKU5-CoV-2 have the potential to jump to humans either directly or through an intermediate animal host. While the findings suggest this virus could pose a risk, more research is needed to understand if and how it might spread.
For now, there’s no evidence that HKU5-CoV-2 is circulating in humans, but the discovery highlights the ongoing need for virus monitoring and pandemic preparedness.
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