
New Bat Coronavirus Sparks Fears of Another Pandemic
Recent research has identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, in China. This virus can bind to the human ACE2 receptor, similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
Despite this finding, experts emphasize that HKU5-CoV-2 does not infect human cells as efficiently as SARS-CoV-2. Currently, there is no evidence of human infections from this virus.
David Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, advises vigilance without undue alarm, stating, “We must remain alert and keep people informed without suggesting every new virus could lead to a new human pandemic.”
In summary, while the discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 underscores the importance of monitoring zoonotic viruses, there is no immediate cause for public concern regarding a new pandemic.