Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, the lab accused of leaking Covid-19, have discovered a new coronavirus in bats. A recent study published in Cell found that the virus closely resembles the strain responsible for the 2020 pandemic, reports the New York Post.
The newly discovered virus is named HKU5-CoV-2 and has the potential for animal-to-human transmission. No infections have been recorded in people so far. The study, led by renowned virologist Dr Shi Zhengli, found that the bat virus can bind to proteins found in humans and other mammals, similar to how SARS-CoV-2—the virus behind Covid-19—infects human cells. However, researchers note that its potential to spread to humans “remains to be investigated.”
HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the same coronavirus family as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a severe illness that can spread from camels to humans through direct contact. MERS outbreaks have primarily occurred in countries near the Arabian Peninsula, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been at the centre of global controversy over theories that Covid-19 may have leaked from its lab, an allegation China has repeatedly denied. The first recorded human case of Covid-19 emerged in Wuhan in November 2019, eventually triggering a worldwide crisis.
Covid-19 went on to become the deadliest pandemic of the century, claiming millions of lives across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 7 million deaths have been officially recorded, but estimates suggest the actual toll could be as high as 20 million due to unreported cases. The United States alone lost over 1.2 million people, while India, Brazil, and several European nations also suffered devastating losses. The pandemic not only overwhelmed healthcare systems but also caused economic disruptions and long-term health complications for millions who survived the virus.