Chinese researchers, led by virologist Shi Zhengli, have discovered a new bat coronavirus that poses potential risks of animal-to-human transmission, sparking concerns of future spillover events.
The virus, identified as HKU5-CoV-2, belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the Mers virus. This newly isolated strain can bind to the ACE2 receptor in human cells, the same pathway used by the Covid-19 virus, according to the study cited by news agency Reuters.
Published in the journal Cell, the study highlights that HKU5-CoV-2 was found to infect human cells in laboratory settings, raising concerns about its potential to jump species. Notably, it can also bind to ACE2 receptors in a variety of mammals, suggesting multiple intermediate hosts could facilitate its transmission to humans.
However, the researchers emphasized that its current efficiency of infecting human cells is significantly lower than that of the Covid-19 virus. Despite its ability to infect human cells, they cautioned against exaggerating its immediate threat to human populations. More monitoring is required, but the virus’s potential to cause a global pandemic remains speculative at this stage.
Speaking to South China Morning Post, Shi’s team reiterated the need for vigilance in tracking emerging viruses in bat populations, as they pose a persistent risk of zoonotic transmission. This new discovery comes at a time when the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic remain a subject of intense debate, with bat coronaviruses often suspected as the primary source. Shi, also known as “batwoman” for her research on these viruses, has defended the role of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, rejecting claims that the Covid-19 virus emerged from a laboratory leak.
The report also follows a previous study from the University of Washington, which downplayed the risk of the HKU5 virus efficiently binding to human ACE2 receptors. However, Shi’s team argues that their findings indicate a broader host range and higher potential for interspecies infection. The World Health Organization recently added merbecoviruses to its list of emerging pathogens for pandemic preparedness, further emphasizing the need for surveillance.
As governments and health authorities focus on preventing future pandemics, the discovery underscores the importance of studying zoonotic viruses, particularly in high-risk species such as bats, which are known to harbour numerous coronaviruses. While the exact risks of HKU5-CoV-2 spilling over into human populations remain unclear, the findings serve as a reminder of the ongoing threats posed by emerging infectious diseases.
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For now, the researchers call for heightened monitoring and deeper study of the virus to understand its transmission dynamics and the factors that might allow it to cross into human populations more easily.