New bat coronavirus discovered that could infect humans
- Researchers in China discovered a new bat coronavirus called HKU5-CoV-2 that can potentially enter human cells.
- The CDC confirmed there are currently no known human infections linked to this virus and does not believe it poses a public health concern.
- Experts caution against overreacting to the findings, emphasizing a significant existing immunity in the population.
In a significant development in virology, researchers from China, specifically the Wuhan Institute of Virology, reported the discovery of a new coronavirus, designated as HKU5-CoV-2, found in bats. This research, published in the journal Cell, indicates that this newly identified virus utilizes the same cell surface protein, ACE2, to enter human cells, similar to the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the virus demonstrates the ability to bind with the ACE2 receptor, its binding affinity is notably less than that of SARS-CoV-2, which means it may not infect humans as efficiently. Additionally, the federal health agency, CDC, updated the public, announcing that they currently do not perceive the new bat coronavirus as a threat to public health. They clarified there have been no identified human infections associated with this virus at this time. This finding has sparked concern among some health experts about the potential for zoonotic spillover from animals to humans, meaning that there is a risk for new pathogens to emerge that could lead to future outbreaks. However, experts have emphasized that the reaction to this new study may be exaggerated given the existing immunity in the human population from previous coronavirus outbreaks. They acknowledged that the presence of numerous coronaviruses in bats does present a continuous risk, but not every newly discovered virus poses an immediate threat. Research conducted on the bat coronavirus so far has not included extensive studies on its disease-causing capabilities or how effectively it could spread within human populations if it were to jump species. Infection prevention measures, including antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies, are considered in case of any future human infections. The global community continues to monitor coronaviruses and remains vigilant for any signs of potential new health threats emerging from animal reservoirs, especially in regions where the human-wildlife interface is prevalent.