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Breaking News : Researchers at China’s Wuhan lab discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, which shares entry pathways with SARS-CoV-2 but poses limited risk to humans.
Scientists at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology have found a new coronavirus in bats. This virus enters cells in the same way as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic.
So far, the new virus has only been found in labs and has not been seen in humans. After this discovery was announced, the stock prices of several vaccine companies went up on Friday.
According to research published in the prestigious journal Cell, as reported by Reuters, the virus, designated as HKU5-CoV-2, demonstrates significantly lower efficiency in penetrating human cells compared to SARS-CoV-2. The scientists emphasized that concerns about its potential emergence in human populations should be approached with measured perspective rather than alarm.
What is the new bat virus and how does it spread?
HKU5-CoV-2 exhibits notable genetic and structural similarities with both the Covid-19 virus and the pathogen responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), as they all belong to the HKU5 coronavirus family. This shared lineage has attracted considerable scientific interest in understanding its potential implications for public health.
Laboratory investigations revealed that HKU5-CoV-2 successfully infected human cells expressing elevated ACE2 levels in controlled experimental conditions, including both test tube studies and simulated models of human intestinal and respiratory tissues. These findings provide valuable insights into the virus’s potential biological behavior.
Are there any symptoms to the virus?
The HKU5 coronavirus family, including MERS, typically presents with a constellation of symptoms including elevated body temperature, persistent coughing, extreme fatigue, nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, chills, diminished appetite, respiratory difficulty, gastrointestinal disturbances manifesting as diarrhea, and episodes of vomiting. Understanding these potential symptoms remains crucial for medical surveillance and public health preparedness.
What to do to prevent the virus?
Although human infection with HKU5-CoV-2 remains unconfirmed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to advocate for comprehensive preventive measures. These include maintaining current vaccination status, implementing rigorous personal hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing, appropriate mask usage in high-risk situations, and regular health monitoring, particularly for individuals with underlying medical conditions that might increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. These preventive strategies align with established public health protocols for managing potential viral threats while maintaining proportionate response levels based on current scientific understanding.
