New COVID Variant: Chinese scientists have identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, capable of infecting humans-raising fresh concerns about potential future outbreaks.
New COVID Variant Detected: Four years after the world witnessed the deadliest COVID-19 pandemic triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, China has once again warned that a new variant of COVID-19 has been detected in the country. According to the reports, Chinese scientists have found a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, which is capable of triggering a new pandemic. Studies have confirmed that the newly detected strain can attack the same human cell receptor (ACE2) that COVID-19 used to spread, making health experts pay close attention.
The detection of the new highly lethal COVID-19 variant was made by a team led by Shi Zhengli, famously known as ‘Batwoman’ for her extensive research works on bat viruses. The study was published in the journal Cell.
New COVID-19 Virus Detected: What Is HKU5-CoV-2 Strain?
Newly detected COVID-19 variantHKU5-CoV-2 belongs to a group of coronaviruses that was previously found in bats. According to the recently published study, this variant may have developed due to the continuous mutations in the spike protein the parent virus — helping the strain infect human cells easily, evading vaccine-induced immunity, and raising red flags among virologists and epidemiologists. Here is what we know about the newly found virus so far:
- The New Variant of COVID-19 Has Higher Transmissibility Potential: According to the experts, the HKU5-CoV-2 may spread more easily among humans (very much similar to the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus).
- Unknown Severity: The newly detected virus’ impact on human health, including symptom severity, is still under investigation.
- Possible Vaccine Resistance: The study has also highlighted that the newly detected COVID-19 variant could potentially evade vaccine-induced immunity.
The Chinese scientists are conducting genetic sequencing and laboratory experiments to determine how HKU5-CoV-2 compares with previous COVID-19 strains which lead to severe symptoms (Delta and Omicron) such as pneumonia, drop in oxygen levels, etc. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet classified it as a variant of concern (VOC), its potential to cause human infection warrants immediate attention.
Could HKU5-CoV-2 Lead to Another Pandemic?
The critical question remains: Could HKU5-CoV-2 spark another global pandemic? The likelihood depends on several factors:
1. Human-to-Human Transmission Efficiency
If HKU5-CoV-2 spreads efficiently, it could lead to localized outbreaks that may escalate globally. Understanding its basic reproduction number (R0) will be vital.
2. Vaccine Effectiveness
Current vaccination campaigns’ success will determine containment possibilities. If existing vaccines prove less effective, updated versions may be required, potentially delaying containment efforts.
3. Public Health Measures
Timely interventions such as travel restrictions, quarantine measures, and booster vaccination campaigns will be crucial in preventing another pandemic.
4. International Cooperation
Global collaboration is essential for real-time data sharing, vaccine development, and coordinated responses.
Even though HKU5-CoV-2 is not an immediate threat, its discovery highlights the importance of monitoring viruses in animals and also follow basic safety tips, such as avoiding crowded places, wearing masks in public, tracking unusual respiratory symptoms, etc. “The newly found COVID-19 variant was also found to be easily able to bind to cels in various animals, increasing chances of jumping between species. However, there is no need to panic,” researchers added in the study.
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