Chinese Team Discovers New Bat Coronavirus with Human Infection Risk

Chinese researchers have discovered a new bat coronavirus that could potentially infect humans by utilizing the same receptor as the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study, led by virologist Shi Zhengli, elucidates the virus’s links to existing coronaviruses and raises alarms about zoonotic transmission risks.

A recent study conducted by a team of researchers in China has identified a new bat coronavirus capable of transmitting to humans via the same receptor utilized by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of Covid-19. This research was spearheaded by Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist often referred to as the “batwoman” for her extensive work on bat coronaviruses. The study involved collaboration with experts from the Guangzhou Laboratory, the Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Shi Zhengli’s expertise and research at the Wuhan Institute have generated significant discussion and speculation regarding the origins of Covid-19. There is still contention surrounding how the virus initially infected humans, with theories suggesting a jump from bats through an intermediary animal. Dr. Shi has consistently denied any allegations that the Wuhan Institute contributed to the outbreak’s genesis.

The newly discovered virus represents a novel lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, previously recognized in the Japanese pipistrelle bat located in Hong Kong. This virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also encompasses the agent responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Significantly, the new virus binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), mirroring the method by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus accesses human cells for infection, thus raising concerns about its potential for spillover to humans.

The identification of this new bat coronavirus highlights the ongoing risk of zoonotic transmissions, emphasizing the importance of monitoring wildlife diseases that share common receptors with known human pathogens. Researchers continue to investigate the origins and transmission pathways of such viruses, reinforcing the need for vigilance in the context of global public health.

Original Source: www.scmp.com