Chinese Scientists Discover a New Coronavirus with Potential Human Transmission Risk
A new coronavirus capable of infecting humans through the same receptor as COVID-19 has been identified in China. The research was led by renowned virologist Shi Zhengli.
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A team of Chinese scientists has discovered a new coronavirus in bats that may be transmissible to humans, according to KoreaTimes.
The study, published in the journal *Cell*, was conducted by a group led by top virologist Shi Zhengli from a laboratory in Guangzhou. Experts from the Wuhan Institute of Virology also participated in the research.
The newly identified virus belongs to the *Merbecovirus* subgenus, which includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) pathogen. It is capable of binding to the human ACE2 receptor, similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to researchers, the virus, named HKU5-CoV-2, was isolated from bat samples and has shown the ability to infect human cells, as well as tissues mimicking respiratory and digestive organs.
Scientists warn of a high risk of cross-species transmission but emphasize that its ability to infect humans is significantly lower than that of COVID-19.
Experts call for further monitoring of the virus, as potential intermediate hosts may facilitate its transmission to humans.
Last year, the *Merbecovirus* subgenus was already included in the World Health Organization's list of pathogens with pandemic potential.
It is worth recalling that the COVID-19 pandemic began with the first detected cases in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The outbreak was linked to a previously unknown coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2.
The virus was transmitted to humans from animals at a local seafood market, where wild animals were also sold.
In early January 2020, China reported the new disease to the WHO. By January 30, the organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Earlier, it was reported that in Ukraine, from February 10 to 16, 5,406 people were hospitalized with complications from influenza, acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), and COVID-19, with influenza dominating among viral infections. The epidemiological threshold has been exceeded in nine regions.
It was also announced that starting February 18, schools in the Lviv region switched to remote learning due to the rise in influenza and ARVI cases. The decision was made by regional authorities.