Daijiworld Media Network- Beijing

Beijing, Feb 22: A team of Chinese virologists has discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, that has the potential to infect humans. The research, led by Shi Zhengli—widely known as "Batwoman" for her extensive work on coronaviruses—has raised concerns about the possibility of another zoonotic spillover.

According to a report in the South China Morning Post, scientists found that HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors—the same pathway used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This discovery suggests a potential risk of human transmission, although further research is needed to assess its real-world impact.

HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes MERS-CoV—the virus behind the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak. A study cited by Newsweek revealed that this new strain shows a stronger ability to adapt to human ACE2 receptors compared to other HKU5 coronaviruses. Laboratory tests confirmed that HKU5-CoV-2 successfully infected human cell cultures and mini-human organ models, highlighting its zoonotic potential.

Researchers warn that bat merbecoviruses pose a significant risk and could jump to humans either directly or through intermediate hosts. However, they also emphasise that further investigation is needed to determine the likelihood of actual transmission and disease development in humans.

China has consistently denied theories linking COVID-19 to a lab leak, but the Wuhan Institute of Virology remains under global scrutiny. The discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 underscores the urgent need for continuous monitoring of bat coronaviruses and their potential risks to human health.

While it remains unclear whether HKU5-CoV-2 poses an immediate threat, scientists stress the importance of surveillance and preparedness to prevent future pandemics.