Researchers in China have discovered a new bat coronavirus, similar to the one that led to the deadly Covid-19 pandemic that claimed millions of lives, according to a study. HKU5-CoV-2 is a newly discovered bat coronavirus that belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the virus responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
Scientists found that it can bind to human ACE2 receptors, similar to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind COVID-19). This suggests it has the potential for animal-to-human transmission. The discovery was made by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli, often referred to as "Batwoman" for her extensive research on coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute.
Who is Shi Zhengli?
A team of researchers in China, under the leadership of Shi Zhengli, have discovered a new bat coronavirus, named as HKU5-CoV-2, which could be harmful to humans. It was isolated from the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong and belongs to the Merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the MERS virus. The discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 has sparked concerns among health officials as it uses the same receptor as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, highlighting its potential to infect and spread from humans to animals.
Shi Zhengli has worked on bat coronaviruses for years and has earned the nickname "batwoman" for her pioneering efforts in this field, according to a report in South China Morning Post. Shi Zhengli et al. at Guangzhou Laboratory, Wuhan University, and Wuhan Institute of Virology released the virus's ability to bind human ACE2 receptors. Zhengli's earlier research at Wuhan Institute of Virology has also been questioned, particularly in the controversial lab leak theory of COVID-19 origins.
Zhengli the batwoman is the brain behind the first customised coronavirus receptor that could help in developing new drugs. These receptors, which are modular chimeric proteins, are compared to Lego blocks and can help in research about infectious diseases.
The latest study on HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus carried out by Zhengli was carried out at the Guangzhou Laboratory. She was supported by researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Wuhan University and Guangzhou Academy of Sciences.
What is HKU5-CoV-2?
A new bat coronavirus that carries the risk of animal-to-human transmission, similar to the one that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, has been discovered in China. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the new virus called HKU5-CoV-2 was found by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli, the famed scientist known as "Batwoman" for her lifetime work in coronaviruses, especially at the Wuhan Institute, which has been at the centre of the theory suggesting COVID-19 came from a lab leak - something China has denied repeatedly.
The Chinese researchers found that the new virus has similarities to SARS CoV-2 - the virus which led to the Covid pandemic - because this too can infiltrate human cells called ACE2 the same way Covid did, the outlet reported.
Symptoms and causes of transmission of bat coronavirus:
Impact on Humans
1. Binding to Human ACE2 Receptors:HKU5-CoV-2 can attach to ACE2 receptors, the same entry point SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) uses to infect human cells.
2. Potential for Spillover:Studies show that HKU5-CoV-2 from bats can infect human cells and lab-grown lung or gut tissues, raising concerns about its ability to cross species barriers.
3. Intermediate Hosts:The virus can bind to ACE2 receptors in both humans and multiple mammalian species, suggesting it could spread through an intermediate animal before reaching humans.
4. Lower Infectivity Than COVID-19:While it can infect human cells, researchers indicate that its ability to do so is significantly weaker than SARS-CoV-2.
According to Shi Zhengli, a leading virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, although HKU5-CoV-2 shows improved adaptation to human ACE2 compared to previous versions, it does not pose an immediate pandemic threat. Ongoing surveillance is necessary to monitor mutations that could enhance its transmissibility.
HKU5-CoV-2 (Bat Virus) Symptoms
There are no confirmed human cases of HKU5-CoV-2, so its symptoms remain unknown. However, because it belongs to the same subgenus as MERS and COVID-19, it may cause similar respiratory symptoms, including:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Fatigue
Body aches
Transmission of HKU5-CoV-2 (Bat Virus)
The virus could spread to humans through two main pathways:
1. Direct Transmission from Bats: Humans may become infected through contact with infected bats or their bodily fluids (such as saliva, urine, or feces).
2. Through an Intermediate Host: Similar to other coronaviruses, the virus may first infect another animal before jumping to humans.
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