US scientists issue chilling warning, say new virus found in China one step away from spreading in..., HKU5-CoV-2 virus is found in...
COVID-19 has once again dominated the news headlines. A new virus has been detected in China following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Independent report, Scientists suggest that the variant, known as HKU5-CoV-2, is likely to affect a wider range of animals than the original COVID-19 virus, which led to millions of deaths worldwide. It is to be noted that the new variant may pose a greater risk of spreading between species. American researchers have raised concerns that HKU5-CoV-2, detected in China in February, might also have the ability to infect humans, potentially triggering a large-scale outbreak.
A new study published in Nature Communications studied a lesser-known group of coronaviruses referred to as merbecoviruses, which includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV — the virus that causes the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.
Researchers from Washington State University studied how this new virus interacts with human cells. They discovered that a small alteration in the virus's spike protein would probably help it hook onto human ACE2 receptors located in the throat, mouth, and nose. HKU5-CoV-2 can infect and replicate within human cells in both the respiratory tract and the digestive tract.
At present, the virus is found in bats, but with a small mutation, it could start spreading among people. This virus is similar to MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).
The World Health Organization states that around 35% of those infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) succumb to the disease. Since its emergence in 2012, approximately 27 countries have reported cases, resulting in 858 confirmed deaths. The infection is primarily transmitted from camels.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Fortis Healthcare still heals portfolios, but valuations are running hot.
Covid took away millions of lives, but it also brought to light one segment that may be worth investing in — hospitals. With no major chain other than Apollo Hospitals a decade ago, analysts paid little attention to the segment. Even after the pandemic changed that, Fortis Healthcare Ltd. was a laggard, thanks to charges of malpractices of its ousted promoters. That hangover seems to be receding. Fortis Healthcare stock is up 80% in the past
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Health workers accuse RFK Jr of fuelling threats against CDC staff
More than 750 current and former federal health employees on Wednesday accused Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr of contributing to harassment and violence directed at public health a letter addressed to Kennedy and Congress, the group cited several of his actions like removing experts from a CDC vaccine advisory committee, questioning the safety of the measles vaccine, and firing senior CDC staff as undermining trust in federal medical argued Kennedy's rhetoric played a role in the August 8 shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, where a man opened fire on four CDC buildings, killing a police officer. Authorities said the gunman blamed a COVID-19 vaccine for his depression and suicidal thoughts. In an interview following the incident, Kennedy refused to confirm the shooter's motive, stating that political violence was 'wrong.' Neither he nor former President Donald Trump has publicly addressed the motive, even as law enforcement confirmed the CDC was targeted over vaccine health workers urged Kennedy to 'cease and publicly disavow the ongoing dissemination of false and misleading claims about vaccines, infectious disease transmission, and America's public health institutions.'OFFICIALS DEMAND DISAVOWAL OF MISINFORMATION, LINK KENNEDY TO CDC ATTACKThe letter further accused Kennedy of being 'complicit in dismantling America's public health infrastructure and endangering the nation's health by repeatedly spreading inaccurate health information.'Signatories called on the Health and Human Services Department to reaffirm that the CDC's work is 'rooted in scientific, non-partisan evidence focused on improving the health of every American.' They also requested that HHS guarantee its employees can operate 'in an environment free from imminent threats of harm.'Additionally, the group urged Kennedy to act against online content that targets federal workers, including so-called 'DEI watchlists.' They have asked the health secretary to formally respond by September letter's release comes a day after the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children aged six to 23 months— guidance that contradicts current federal policy under the Trump response to the AAP's recommendation, Kennedy criticised the organisation on social media, accusing it of failing to adequately disclose conflicts of interest.- EndsWith inputs from agencies
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Tailors, weavers, clerks are under construction workers' welfare board, says CAG
Bengaluru: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Wednesday pulled up Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board for irregular and unauthorised expenditure of Rs 259 crore during the first wave of Covid-19 in 2020. In a report tabled in the legislature, CAG said the board had initially proposed a preventive health training and check-up programme for five lakh registered construction workers across the state. Its first proposal in July 2020, estimated at Rs 10 crore, was rejected by the finance department, which sought more clarity. A second proposal in Dec 2020 was also blocked after the finance department demanded justification for awarding the project to three agencies directly, without following the tender process, and for seeking 4(g) exemption under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru Instead of providing the required justification, the board secretary on April 12, 2021, sent a fresh proposal to the labour department to call for a tender to empanel agencies for a year. He also sought administrative approval to implement the scheme on a pilot basis in Dharwad circle for Rs 9 crore. Soon after, the board decided to split the same work into 30 individual projects, thereby avoiding the need for cabinet approval, and proceeded to call for quotations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo The board later approved these projects post-facto in June 2022, citing exemption under Section 4(a) that was originally provided during the first and second waves of Covid-19 for supply of food and ration kits to labourers. The CAG noted, "Thus, the award of contracts from Sept 2021 to May 2022 in contravention to the act/rules resulted in irregular expenditure of Rs 258.8 crore." Responding to the audit, the govt said in Aug 2024 that the work was entrusted directly since a 4(a) exemption was accorded and that there was no contravention of rules. However, CAG rejected this defence, stating the reply was "unacceptable" as it was meant to address the Covid-19 emergency and criticised the labour department for approving work by splitting them into 30 sub-works of Rs 10 crore each despite finance department objections and without cabinet approval. The report also flagged irregularities in the registration of members. Of the board's 42.5 lakh registered workers, CAG found a significant number were not actually construction workers. A random survey of 399 applicants who registered through the Seva Sindhu portal revealed beneficiaries included tailors, clerks, weavers, and others from unrelated professions. The audit recommended that the board devise a mechanism to identify and weed out ineligible beneficiaries. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
