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RESEARCHERS at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China have identified a new variant of the coronavirus, named HKU5-CoV-2, which is suspected to have the potential to spread among humans.
Virologist Shi Zhengli, who led the discovery, explained that this variant was found in bat populations and shares striking similarities with the virus that caused the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"Tests have shown that HKU5-CoV-2 can enter human cells in a manner similar to SARS-CoV-2, and it poses a significant risk, either through direct infection or via an intermediary host," Shi said.
She further warned that the emergence of this new virus could trigger global concerns, as it may pose an even greater threat to public health.
The discovery of the virus, published in a leading scientific journal, has raised alarms due to its similarity to the COVID-19 virus. It is from the same 'merbecovirus' family as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and can cause symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and vomiting, potentially leading to death.
Global health experts have stated that no vaccine has yet been developed for this new variant and are closely monitoring potential threats, especially from regions where bats and intermediary animals are prevalent.
Researchers have also cautioned that while much has been learned about the virus, there is still much to understand regarding how it might spread among humans.
The world remains on alert for further developments. – February 22, 2025