Could It Be Another Pandemic? China Scientists Identify New Bat Coronavirus with Human Transmission Risk
A new coronavirus, identified as HKU5-CoV-2, has been discovered in bats in China, sparking concerns about its potential to infect humans and possibly cause a pandemic. Researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a facility previously associated with the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, published their findings in the scientific journal Cell on February 21, 2025.
The newly discovered virus is part of the merbecovirus family, which also includes MERS, a deadly coronavirus that has a higher fatality rate compared to Covid-19. HKU5-CoV-2 shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the global Covid-19 pandemic, and tests suggest it may be capable of infecting human cells in a similar manner.
Virologist Shi Zhengli, also known as "Batwoman" for her extensive research on coronaviruses, led the study, which highlighted the potential for HKU5-CoV-2 to spill over into humans, either directly or through intermediary animal hosts. The researchers noted that bats, known to be natural reservoirs for coronaviruses, play a significant role in the transmission of these pathogens to other species, including humans.
While the virus has been circulating among bats since at least 2006, the new strain appears to have an increased potential for cross-species infection. However, the exact risk of HKU5-CoV-2 infecting humans remains uncertain and will require further investigation.
The Wuhan Institute's research is significant as it emphasizes the zoonotic risk of coronaviruses, reflecting similar concerns raised during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the origins of Covid-19 remain a topic of debate, this new discovery has renewed discussions on the possibility of viruses spreading from animals to humans, a process known as zoonotic spillover.
Despite the alarming potential for human infection, experts caution that it is too early to predict whether HKU5-CoV-2 will follow the same path as SARS-CoV-2 or MERS. Further studies are needed to understand its transmissibility and the risk it poses to global health.
The discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 has reignited fears about the possibility of another pandemic, just two years after the world declared the end of the Covid-19 crisis. Global health authorities continue to monitor the situation, with ongoing research into the behavior of new coronaviruses and their potential to impact human populations.
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