A new coronavirus capable of spreading among humans has been identified in China. The virus, named HKU5-CoV-2, shares significant similarities with previous pandemic-causing viruses, raising fears that the world could face another pandemic just two years after the end of COVID-19.
Scientists from Wuhan Institute of Virology discovered this new strain in bats. It also has connections with the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus, which is a highly lethal virus—killing three out of four infected individuals.
Virologist Shi Zhengli, known as “Batwoman” for her work on coronaviruses, reported the findings in a scientific journal. Research indicates that HKU5-CoV-2 enters human cells in a manner similar to COVID-19, increasing the risk of human infection.
MERS is a respiratory disease that spreads from animals to humans and between humans. Symptoms include fever, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, and vomiting, and in severe cases, it can be fatal.
So far, only two cases of MERS have been reported in the U.S., both in May 2014, and both patients had traveled to the Middle East. No vaccine or specific treatment is available for MERS.
The new HKU5-CoV-2 virus belongs to the Merbecovirus family, which has been found in animals such as minks and pangolins. Experts believe these animals may have facilitated the transmission of the virus from bats to humans.