Another Pandemic? Chinese Scientists Discover New Bat Coronavirus That Poses a Risk of Animal-to-Human Transmission
Feb 24,2025
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Synopsis
A team of Chinese researchers has discovered a new bat coronavirus with the potential for animal-to-human transmission. The virus, named HKU5-CoV-2, was found to utilize the same human receptor as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. This discovery has revived fears of a deadly pandemic that claimed millions of lives in the past two decades.
Is another pandemic on the horizon? A team in China has identified a new bat coronavirus that poses a risk of animal-to-human transmission because it uses the same human receptor as the virus responsible for Covid-19. The newly discovered virus, HKU5-CoV-2, shares this receptor with SARS-CoV-2.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, the study was led by Shi Zhengli—often referred to as "batwoman" due to her extensive research on bat coronaviruses. This discovery comes in the wake of a surge in cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, raising concerns of a potential pandemic similar to Covid-19.
Images of hospitals overwhelmed with masked patients have circulated widely on social media. However, health experts have stated that HMPV is not like Covid-19 and noted that it has been present for many years. They emphasize that China and other countries are simply experiencing the seasonal increase in HMPV cases typically seen during winter.
Another Pandemic? Chinese Scientists Discover New Bat Coronavirus That Poses a Risk of Animal-to-Human Transmission
Feb 24,2025
Share
Synopsis
A team of Chinese researchers has discovered a new bat coronavirus with the potential for animal-to-human transmission. The virus, named HKU5-CoV-2, was found to utilize the same human receptor as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. This discovery has revived fears of a deadly pandemic that claimed millions of lives in the past two decades.
Is another pandemic on the horizon? A team in China has identified a new bat coronavirus that poses a risk of animal-to-human transmission because it uses the same human receptor as the virus responsible for Covid-19. The newly discovered virus, HKU5-CoV-2, shares this receptor with SARS-CoV-2.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, the study was led by Shi Zhengli—often referred to as "batwoman" due to her extensive research on bat coronaviruses. This discovery comes in the wake of a surge in cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, raising concerns of a potential pandemic similar to Covid-19.
Images of hospitals overwhelmed with masked patients have circulated widely on social media. However, health experts have stated that HMPV is not like Covid-19 and noted that it has been present for many years. They emphasize that China and other countries are simply experiencing the seasonal increase in HMPV cases typically seen during winter.
