New Coronavirus Detected in Bats, Does it Raise Concerns for Human Health

Chinese researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have reported the detection of a new coronavirus in bats, which exhibits similarities to the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. This discovery, detailed in a paper published in the journal Cell, may indicate a potential risk to human health, although the virus has not yet been found in humans.

New virus  is similar to virus that caused MERS

The newly identified virus, referred to as HKU5-COV-2, utilizes the same receptor as SARS-CoV-2 to enter cells, binding to a protein common in humans and other mammals. Researchers said that this virus is closely related to the coronavirus family that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has affected approximately 2,600 people globally since its emergence in 2012, with a mortality rate of around 36%. Most cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, according to the World Health Organization.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology is recognized for its research on coronaviruses found in bats. The origins of the COVID-19 pandemic have been a topic of speculation, with some theories suggesting a potential lab leak. However, researchers at the institute have denied working on any viruses that could have led to the pandemic. In 2023, funding for the lab was halted by the U.S. government amid ongoing controversy.

Shares of vaccine manufacturers rise

The announcement of this new virus has influenced the stock market, leading to big gains for vaccine manufacturers. For instance, Moderna Inc. saw an increase of 6.6%, while Novavax Inc. rose by 7.8%. Additionally, BioNTech SE, in partnership with Pfizer for vaccine development, experienced a 5.1% surge, and Pfizer itself rose by 2.6%.

While concerns have escalated regarding the potential for this virus to spread to humans, researchers have indicated that it does not enter the human body as easily as SARS-CoV-2. The study was led by Shi Zengli, a prominent scientist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, amidst ongoing debates about the origins of COVID-19. The Chinese government has consistently denied allegations from the U.S. regarding the virus's origins in the Wuhan lab.