Chinese Researchers Identify New Bat Coronavirus with Human Infection Potential
A Chinese research team has discovered a new bat coronavirus capable of infecting humans through the same receptor used by SARS-CoV-2. The study, led by renowned virologist Shi Zhengli, emphasizes the risk of zoonotic transmission and highlights the virus’s lineage and binding capabilities. This finding has significant public health implications, warranting further investigation into emerging viral threats.
Researchers from China have identified a novel bat coronavirus that has the potential to infect humans. This virus utilizes the same human receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19. The study was supervised by Shi Zhengli, a distinguished virologist renowned for her extensive research on coronaviruses, from multiple institutions including the Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Although the origin of SARS-CoV-2 remains a topic of debate, many studies indicate that it may have emerged from bats, potentially transitioning to humans via an intermediate host. Shi Zhengli has addressed these allegations, asserting that her laboratory has no connection to the outbreak. The newly discovered coronavirus belongs to the HKU5 lineage, which was first detected in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong.
This recently found virus falls under the merbecovirus subgenus, which encompasses the virus responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Its capability to bind to the ACE2 receptor signifies a pathway for potential infection in humans, indicating significant implications for public health and necessitating further study of this emerging viral threat.
The identification of a new bat coronavirus that binds to the same human receptor as SARS-CoV-2 raises alarm regarding potential animal-to-human transmission. Led by prominent virologist Shi Zhengli, the research highlights the ongoing risks posed by zoonotic viruses. This discovery underscores the need for continued vigilance and study in the face of evolving viral threats.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
