New Bat Coronavirus HKU5CoV2: A team of Chinese researchers has discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, that could spread from animals to humans. This virus uses the same human receptor as the one that causes Covid-19, making it a potential health risk.

The study was led by Shi Zhengli, a well-known virologist often called "batwoman" because of her deep research on bat coronaviruses. The research involved experts from the Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Shi is famous for her work at the Wuhan Institute, which was at the center of debates about whether Covid-19 originated from a lab leak. However, she has strongly denied that the institute was responsible for the outbreak.

What is the New Virus?

The newly found virus, called HKU5-CoV-2, belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). It was first identified in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong.

Scientists discovered that this virus can attach to ACE2 receptors in human cells, the same way Covid-19 spreads in the body. This means the virus has the potential to infect humans, though more research is needed to understand the actual risk. They have found new coronavirus that might spread from animals to humans. Health experts are now closely studying this virus to determine if it could pose a new global health threat.  The virus, known as the HKU5 strain, can attach to ACE2 receptors, a type of cell protein found in bats and other animals.

However, researchers have not found strong evidence that it can easily infect humans. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, which cited research published in Ce, the virus does not yet show efficient human transmission.

While experts are keeping a close watch on this new virus, there is no sign yet that it could cause another pandemic like Covid-19.