Chinese researchers discover new bat coronavirus with potential for human transmission

A team of Chinese scientists has identified a new bat coronavirus that carries the risk of animal-to-human transmission, as it uses the same human receptor as the virus responsible for COVID-19.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, was led by prominent virologist Shi Zhengli. Known as “batwoman” for her extensive research on bat coronaviruses, Shi has been at the centre of discussions regarding the origins of Covid-19, Caliber.Az reports via Chinese media.

While the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic remain a subject of debate, with theories ranging from natural spillover to a possible lab leak, Shi has repeatedly denied that the Wuhan Institute of Virology played any role in the outbreak. Scientific consensus suggests that the virus likely originated in bats and was transmitted to humans through an intermediate host.

The newly discovered virus belongs to a lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, first identified in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong. It is part of the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus.

According to the researchers, the virus is capable of binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the same receptor utilised by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect human cells. This characteristic raises concerns over its potential for zoonotic transmission.

The discovery highlights the ongoing risk of emerging coronaviruses and underscores the importance of continued surveillance of bat populations to prevent future outbreaks. Scientists emphasise the need for further research to assess the virus’s ability to spread among humans and its potential public health implications.

By Vugar Khalilov