New coronavirus discovered in China ‘only small step' from infecting humans
Scientists believe the variant, called HKU5-CoV-2, may infect a broader range of animals than Covid-19 – which caused millions of deaths – and may have more potential for jumping between species.
US researchers fear that HKU5-CoV-2, found in China, in February, could also infect humans, leading to a widespread outbreak.
The new study, published in Nature Communications, looked at a lesser-known group of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses, which includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV, which is responsible for the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
The team from Washington State University looked at how the new pathogen interacts with human cells.
They found that a small change in the virus's spike protein could allow it to attach to human ACE2 cells in people's throats, mouths and noses.
HKU5-CoV-2 can infect and replicate inside human cells in both the airways and gut.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 35 per cent of people infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome die. Since 2012, some 27 countries have reported cases, leading to 858 known deaths due to the infection, which spread from camels.
But when HKU5 was discovered in February, scientists warned against exaggerating the risks because it does not enter human cells as readily as Sars-CoV-2, which caused Covid-19.
HKU5 was first detected in bats by scientists from the Chinese laboratory where some say Covid originated in 2019.
Prof Michael Letko, a virologist who co-led the study, said: 'HKU5 viruses in particular really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells.
'What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans.'
When Covid-19 emerged it was widely blamed on markets in China where different breeds of wild animal are kept caged and often slaughtered close to other animals. Meat is sold at the open-air stalls.
Critics said the markets were the perfect breeding ground for new zoonotic diseases – those that spread to humans – to emerge.
The scientists, whose experiments studied how the new pathogen interacts with human cells, believe the virus would have to carry certain mutations if it were to infect humans.
'These viruses are closely related to MERS, so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,' Prof Letko said.
'While there's no evidence they've crossed into people yet, the potential is there and that makes them worth watching.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
The 75p ‘granddaddy of spices' that gives you glowing, youthful skin – and you may see key health boosts too
IF you're looking for a quick and easy way to get your skin glowing, you may want to turn to your spice rack. Turmeric is commonly used to add colour and flavour to dishes like curries. 2 But beyond its culinary charm, the vibrant powder has also been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Its main active ingredient, curcumin, has been found to reduce inflammation and promotes collagen production - hello plump skin and less wrinkles! Turmeric's antimicrobial properties can also help prevent acne breakouts and other skin infections. Dr Trevor Cates, from skincare brand The Spa Dr, said: "You can consider it [turmeric] the granddaddy of anti-inflammatory spices. "Its effects are so powerful that it may also help with joint pain." To get more curcumin into your system, Dr Cates suggests brewing up a cup of turmeric tea. He starts with four cups of water which he brings to the boil before adding one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reducing to a simmer for 10 minutes. Then, he says, strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup, and add honey and/or lemon to taste. He adds: "[You can] experiment with the ingredients and flavorings until you find a combination that suits your taste. "You can also experiment with freshly grated turmeric for a more vibrant flavour." Another way to get more turmeric into your system is by sprinkling a little on your food. Veggies and meat are all delicious with a little curcumin added. And with a jar of ground turmeric from Aldi costing as little as 75p, it works out as a very cost-effective skin booster. But be warned - while you can also mix turmeric with milk or water and apply it directly to your skin, it may stain if you leave it on too long. My skin was red, dry and covered in spots before I transformed it in a week using animal fat - I'm a total convert Beyond your skincare and helping with joint pain, some lab studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin also has anti-cancer effects. It is being argued that it is able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing with "promising" results in clinical trials. But Cancer Research UK says larger studies are needed. The organisation adds: "At the moment there is no clear evidence in humans to show that turmeric or curcumin can prevent or treat cancer. "We don't know how safe curcumin is when used for medical reasons. So far, research studies seem to show that it causes few or no side effects. "But we don't know much about the side effects of taking it in large amounts to treat or prevent cancer. "So, if you use curcumin for reasons other than cooking, talk to your doctor first."
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
US records more cases of virus prompting Covid-era restrictions in China... as travel warnings take effect
Cases of the debilitating chikungunya virus sweeping through China are also surging in the US, health officials have warned. CDC officials have reported four more cases this week, bringing the total to 50 cases of chikungunya in the US, all of which are in people who traveled to areas where it is more common like Asia and South America. It is unclear how many are linked to China's outbreak. The virus, which is spread by the Aedes mosquito, can cause sudden, agonizing joint pain in the hands and feet that can be so severe that it leaves sufferers unable to move normally for months. Chikungunya is tearing through China with more than 10,000 cases, leaving the nation battling its largest outbreak ever. The outbreak has prompted the CDC to issue a level 2 travel warning for China, which urges Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the area. The notice also applies to Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. Chikungunya is a 'nationally notifiable' condition in the US, meaning health authorities can voluntarily report cases to the agency for national tracking and monitoring. While a handful of cases pop up in the US every year from people traveling to high-risk areas, it hasn't experienced local transmission since 2019. But with 1.6million people traveling between the US and China every year, mosquitoes in America could bite an infected traveler and begin transmitting the virus locally to Americans. Dr Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher in Nevada, previously told 'This outbreak in China is very concerning. It [the virus] could already be here in the US; and really it's just one plane flight away.' Along with the CDC, travel agencies and cruise lines have also issued warnings about preventing mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya, dengue and Lyme disease, all of which have been detected in the US so far this year. Last month, Norwegian Cruise Line warned guests traveling to Italy this year to use insect repellent and wear clothing treated with permethrin, which can repel ticks and mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes are common in Italy, especially around coastal areas. Authorities in Italy reported the first locally acquired cases of both dengue and chikungunya, prompting the warnings from Norwegian Cruise Line. The Massachusetts Department of Health also urged in a recent health bulletin not to travel to areas with known outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses and get necessary vaccines if you are traveling to these areas. Health officials in New Jersey also stated: 'The best way to prevent chikungunya is to prevent mosquito bites and avoid travel to areas with ongoing chikungunya outbreaks.' Chikungunya is spread to humans from a bite from the Aedes mosquito, which also spread dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika virus. The infection does not spread from person to person through bodily contact or saliva. However, pregnant women who become infected near the time of delivery can pass the virus to their baby during birth, which can result in severe illness in the newborn. About 15 to 35 percent of people infected with the virus are asymptomatic, the CDC reports. The incubation period is typically three to seven days and the most common symptom is a sudden onset of a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). Other symptoms of chikungunya virus include headache, nausea, rash, muscle aches, swelling and redness of the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye and inner eyelids) and joint pain that is sometimes severe and debilitating in the hands or feet. In severe cases, life-threatening complications involving the heart and brain can occur such as inflammation, irregular heartbeats and organ failure. Symptoms usually last seven to 10 days, but patients may experience lifelong complications such as persistent joint pain. There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, and doctors mostly focus on easing symptoms like over-the-counter pain and fever medications. However, there are two vaccines available for people visiting an area with an outbreak. China has recorded approximately 10,000 chikungunya viruses this year, making this its largest outbreak of the virus. Mitigation efforts, including using drones to spray insecticide in mosquito-infested areas has led to a slow down in new cases, though more than 1,000 were still recorded in the last week. According to the CDC, chikungunya was rarely detected in American travelers before 2006. But between 2006 and 2013, the US logged around 30 imported cases a year, all in people who had recently visited affected regions in Asia, Africa or the Indian Ocean. In 2014, a total of 2,799 cases were reported - including 12 that were locally acquired - in states and territories such as Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, making it the country's worst year on record for the virus.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- The Independent
We weren't actually more anxious during Covid, researchers discover
You weren't actually more anxious during the Covid pandemic. Scientists say that anxiety levels among U.S. adults appear to have stayed steady during that period, with new research challenging the belief that there was a widespread spike in psychological distress. Previous research had found a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression, which the World Health Organization said was linked to feelings of loneliness and fear of infection during the pandemic. The new research, which surveyed nearly 100,000 U.S. adults between 2011 and 2022, found that there was no prolonged spike in anxiety levels for younger or older adults. 'Our results might suggest that the mental health of U.S. adults is more resilient than public perception suggests, given the many news headlines about the U.S. currently experiencing a 'mental health crisis,'' Noah French, a researcher at University of Virginia and an author of the new study, explained in a statement. The pandemic was cited by Biden administration officials as worsening America's mental health crisis in 2023, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says nearly one in four U.S. adults report having a mental illness. Some 38 percent more people had been in mental health care since the onset of the pandemic, researchers said. The pandemic disproportionately affected the mental health of younger adults, WHO has reported. The isolating impact of school closures also resulted in anxious kids who were academically behind their peers, according to an analysis in The New York Times, and dozens of related studies. However, the new study found that while those aged 18-25 showed significantly stronger symptoms of anxiety compared to older adults during the pandemic, young adults' anxiety levels did not increase from 2011 to 2022 overall. The reasons behind these observations in younger and older adults are unclear. Other surveys have found that Americans are feeling more anxious in general. Polling data from last year found that 43 percent of U.S. adults felt more anxious than they did the previous year and in 2022, according to the American Psychiatric Association. This uptick in American anxiety stems from current events, the economy, and gun violence, the association said. And of the more than 2,200 adults surveyed, 63 percent said they were anxious about their health. It's also possible that worsening mental health was the reason Americans drank more alcohol during the pandemic, according to doctors. One study suggested that mothers with young children drank 300 percent more alcohol than they did before Covid. French said that more research is needed to fully understand what happened, and cautioned against drawing firm conclusions on anxiety levels from his findings. For one, participants skewed younger, were more educated, and had all signed up to answer the questions. That means that they might not be entirely representative of the average American. 'One of my biggest personal takeaways from this project is that there is surprisingly little high-quality research tracking the mental health of entire populations over time,' French said. 'We need a lot more research in this space, and I will forever be skeptical of headlines that make strong claims about a certain mental health condition being 'on the rise.''
