A new coronavirus found in bats has been identified by Chinese researchers, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is no reason to believe it currently poses a threat to public health. The virus, known as HKU5-CoV-2, is part of the same family as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
In laboratory tests, the new coronavirus was found to have the potential to enter human cells through the ACE2 receptor, a protein on cell surfaces. However, human studies showed it did not spread as easily as SARS-CoV-2. The researchers suggest antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies could be effective if the virus were to infect humans.
There are hundreds of coronaviruses in nature, but only a few can infect humans, causing illnesses ranging from mild respiratory infections to severe conditions like bronchitis or pneumonia. Bats harbor many genetically diverse coronaviruses, which could potentially spill over into humans.
While the discovery is notable, the CDC emphasizes that no human infections have been detected so far. The agency notes that the publication highlights the virus’s ability to enter cells in a laboratory setting but not necessarily in real-world scenarios.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/new-coronavirus-found-bats-concern-public-health-cdc/story?id=119118809