Doctors are raising concerns about the discovery of a new coronavirus strain, HKU5-CoV-2, found in bats. Experts say that while it hasn’t yet spread to humans, there is a possibility it could in the future.
The virus was identified at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, the same lab linked to Covid research. Scientists found that HKU5-CoV-2 can enter human cells in a similar way to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. This has sparked discussions about whether it could lead to another outbreak.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert, warns that many viruses in nature still pose a risk of jumping to humans. He stresses the need for global preparedness as rapid travel makes disease spread faster. He explained, “Viruses can move from bats to humans directly or through other animals. We need to study them to be ready.”
Dr. Shi Zhengli, a well-known Chinese virologist, led the study and published findings in the journal Cell. Her research suggests that HKU5-CoV-2 may have a higher chance of infecting humans compared to other viruses. This has led some scientists to call for increased monitoring of coronaviruses in animals.
Some experts believe that studying viruses is necessary to prevent future pandemics. However, controversy surrounds this type of research, especially since the Covid-19 outbreak. Intelligence agencies, including the CIA, have suggested that Covid-19 may have come from a lab leak. A report from the Biden administration in January 2024 stated that the lab origin theory was possible but with low confidence, meaning evidence is unclear.
Dr. Schaffner says that vaccines remain the best protection against serious illness from current threats like flu, RSV, and Covid. He emphasized, “We have vaccines that work, but not enough people are using them.”
Dr. Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins disagrees with the concerns about HKU5-CoV-2. He explains that there is no immediate reason to worry, as the studies were done in a lab and there is no proof that the virus is spreading to humans. Scientists continue to study the potential risk, but for now, no special precautions are needed.