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ASIA, CHINA, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COVID-19, DISEASE, GUANGZHOU, GUANGZHOU ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, GUANGZHOU LABORATORY, HONG KONG, INSTITUTE OF VIROLOGY, MIDDLE EAST, PANDEMIC, SHI, SHI ZHENGLI, WU, WUHAN, WUHAN INSTITUTE, WUHAN INSTITUTE OF VIROLOGY, WUHAN READING, WUHAN UNIVERSITY
Omar El-Sharif
New Bat Coronavirus Identified by Chinese Researchers at Risk of Human Transmission
A team led by Shi Zhengli has discovered a new bat coronavirus that can infect humans by binding to the same ACE2 receptors as SARS-CoV-2. This research raises concerns about potential animal-to-human transmission and emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of zoonotic viruses.
A team of researchers from China has identified a new bat coronavirus that poses a potential risk of transmitting to humans, utilizing the same receptor as the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19. This significant discovery was spearheaded by Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist known for her extensive studies on coronaviruses, at the Guangzhou Laboratory, in collaboration with the Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Shi Zhengli, often referred to as the ‘batwoman’, has been a central figure in the discussions surrounding the origins of Covid-19, particularly due to the Wuhan Institute’s association with the virus. While the origins remain debated, some evidence suggests that the virus initially derived from bats and may have transmitted to humans via an intermediary animal. Shi Zhengli has consistently denied any responsibility of the institute concerning the outbreak.
The newly discovered virus belongs to a lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus first traced in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong. It is categorized under the merbecovirus subgenus, the same group that includes the virus responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Notably, this virus can attach to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, the same entry point utilized by the Covid-19 virus to infiltrate human cells.
The discovery of this new bat coronavirus highlights ongoing concerns regarding zoonotic transmission and the potential emergence of new infectious diseases. Led by renowned virologist Shi Zhengli, this research emphasizes the importance of monitoring wildlife for viruses that may pose threats to human health, especially those utilizing similar infection pathways as Covid-19.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
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