Chinese scientists have isolated a new coronavirus derived from bats known as HKU5-CoV-2. It has the ability to infect humans by using the same cellular receptor as SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen behind the pandemic COVID-19. This result highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance of zoonotic pathogens that have the potential to be future public health concerns. [1]
Identification and Features of HKU5-CoV-2
The study, spearheaded by renowned virologist Dr. Shi Zhengli, colloquially known as "batwoman" for her extensive research on bat coronaviruses, was carried out at Guangzhou Laboratory in collaboration with Wuhan Institute of Virology and Wuhan University.[2] The Cell-published research documents the discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 in Chinese bat populations. HKU5-CoV-2 is part of the merbecovirus subgenus, the same that includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. [3]
Significantly, HKU5-CoV-2 has a furin cleavage site, a characteristic that allows the virus to enter host cells through the ACE2 receptor, just likeSARS-CoV-2. [1] Experiments in the laboratory proved that HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cells with high levels of ACE2 expression, especially in human intestine and airway models. Moreover, scientists also isolated monoclonal antibodies and antiviral medications that effectively neutralise this bat virus. [2,3]
Implications for Public Health
Even though it has the capability of infecting human cells, HKU5-CoV-2 does not invade human cells as effectively as SARS-CoV-2. The research indicated that the virus possesses much lower binding capacity to human ACE2 receptors than SARS-CoV-2, which indicates that the danger of its occurrence in human populations should not be exaggerated. [1,2]
Dr. Michael Osterholm, a disease expert from the University of Minnesota, emphasised that the response to this find may be premature, observing that immunity within the population against related SARS-like viruses would limit the pandemic risk of HKU5-CoV-2. [3]
Context and Future Directions
The identification of HKU5-CoV-2 has sparked new debates on SARS-CoV-2's origins and whether research labs are involved in such pathogen studies. Dr. Shi Zhengli and the Wuhan Institute of Virology have been at the centre of debate, particularly for the lab leak theory surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic—an accusation that Chinese authorities have continuously dismissed. [2,3]
Up to February 2025, there is still no agreement on the precise origins of SARS-CoV-2. The discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 underscores the need for constant monitoring and studies on bat coronaviruses to enhance knowledge on their ability to break species barriers and to create effective prevention strategies against potential future outbreaks. [1,3]
Chinese team finds new bat coronavirus that could infect humans, South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3299491/chinese-team-finds-new-bat-coronavirus-could-infect-humans-same-route-covid
Chinese researchers find bat virus enters human cells via same pathway as COVID, Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/chinese-researchers-find-bat-virus-enters-human-cells-via-same-pathway-covid-2025-02-21
COVID-like bat virus discovered by researchers in same Chinese lab accused of leaking deadly 2020 outbreak: study, New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/02/21/world-news/covid-like-bat-virus-discovered-by-researchers-in-wuhan-lab-study/
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Pragati Sakhuja/MSM)