Scientists have identified a new coronavirus variant, HKU5-CoV-2, in China that may be just one step away from causing another global pandemic. Researchers warn this virus could infect a wider range of animals compared to Covid-19 and has greater potential to jump between species.
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The recent study, published in Nature Communications, was led by a team from Washington State University who examined how HKU5-CoV-2 interacts with human cells. They discovered that a small mutation in the virus’s spike protein might allow it to attach to human ACE2 receptors found in the throat, mouth, and nose, enabling the virus to infect and replicate in human airway and gut cells.
Although HKU5-CoV-2 was first found in bats and is related to the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), experts caution against alarm as it does not currently enter human cells as readily as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. Nonetheless, the virus’s similarity to MERS, which has a high fatality rate, underlines the importance of close monitoring.
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Professor Michael Letko, who co-led the research, emphasised the need for vigilance. He explained that while there is no evidence HKU5-CoV-2 has infected humans yet, its potential to do so with further mutations makes it worthy of concern. The study also highlights the risks posed by wildlife markets, which have been linked to the emergence of zoonotic diseases in the past.
