New coronavirus discovered in Chinese bats: What we know

Category: Health

Researchers have discovered a new coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, in Chinese bats, which belongs to the merbecovirus group. This virus is a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus and may pose a zoonotic risk due to its ability to use the same human receptor as the COVID-19 virus. The study was led by virologist Shi Zhengli and raises concerns about potential animal-to-human transmission.

Keywords: coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, zoonotic risk

Source: Q13 FOX (Seattle)

Update At: 2/22/2025

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