Chinese Scientists Identify New Bat Coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2: Should We Be Concerned?
Chinese scientists have discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, that has the potential to infect humans, raising fresh concerns about zoonotic diseases.
The study, led by renowned virologist Shi Zhengli at the Guangzhou Laboratory, was published in the scientific journal Cell.
Key Findings of the Study
HKU5-CoV-2 is a descendant of the HKU5 virus, first detected in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong. It belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
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- Similarities to SARS-CoV-2: The virus shares some characteristics with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of Covid-19, including its ability to use the ACE2 receptor to enter human cells.
- Furin Cleavage Site: Like SARS-CoV-2, the virus contains a furin cleavage site, which enhances its ability to infect human cells.
- Laboratory Tests: Experiments showed that HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cells with high ACE2 expression, particularly in intestinal and airway tissues.
- Treatment Possibilities: Researchers have identified monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs that could potentially target the virus if it were to spread.
Research Led by China’s ‘Batwoman’
The study was led by Shi Zhengli, a leading virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, often referred to as “Batwoman” due to her extensive work on bat coronaviruses.
Shi was at the center of controversy during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the Wuhan lab was widely speculated to be the virus’s origin. However, she has denied all lab leak theories, and the origins of Covid-19 remain unresolved.
Should We Be Worried?
Despite its ability to infect human cells, scientists have downplayed the immediate threat posed by HKU5-CoV-2.
- Limited Human Transmission: The virus does not bind as effectively to human ACE2 receptors as SARS-CoV-2, reducing its risk of widespread transmission.
- Expert Opinions:
- Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert from the University of Minnesota, called concerns “overblown,” highlighting improved global immunity to SARS-like viruses.
- A separate study by the University of Washington and Wuhan University concluded that while the virus can bind to bat and mammalian ACE2 receptors, it does not exhibit efficient human binding.
Covid-19’s Legacy and Ongoing Surveillance
The Covid-19 pandemic, which emerged in China in late 2019, led to a global health crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic in early 2020, and as of February 2025, over 7 million confirmed deaths have been reported worldwide.
While HKU5-CoV-2 is not currently a major threat, scientists emphasize the importance of continued surveillance to prevent future pandemics.
Stay updated for more developments on emerging infectious diseases.
