They say it’s harmless to humans.
Researchers in China have identified a new bat coronavirus called HKU5-CoV-2, capable of infecting human cells. This virus was found in Pipistrellus bats and, similar to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind COVID-19), it enters human cells by utilizing the ACE2 receptor. Despite this, there is currently no evidence that it has infected humans, and experts emphasize that it does not pose an immediate threat to public health.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has assured the public that HKU5-CoV-2 does not spread as easily as COVID-19. While it can infect human cells in laboratory conditions, it is not as efficient as SARS-CoV-2 in doing so. The virus, part of the same family as the more dangerous MERS virus, was discovered by scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Public health experts, including Dr. Amira Roess, urge the public not to panic about the discovery. They also note that antiviral drugs used for COVID-19 have shown effectiveness against HKU5-CoV-2 in lab tests. Currently, health professionals are prioritizing more urgent threats like the avian flu, which is spreading among animals such as birds and other mammals.
Dr. Alex Greninger, from the University of Washington Medical Center, remarked that finding coronaviruses in bats is not unexpected, as many are likely circulating within bat populations. Other experts agree that the focus should remain on more pressing issues like bird flu, which poses a greater immediate risk to public health.
While HKU5-CoV-2 does not present an immediate danger, this discovery underscores the importance of global health monitoring and the need to avoid unnecessary contact with wildlife. Experts advise that interacting with animals like bats can carry risks for both humans and the animals involved.
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