All you need to know about new bat virus HKU5-CoV-2: Symptoms and treatment
PTC Web Desk: A newly identified bat coronavirus, named HKU5-CoV-2, has been discovered in China, raising concerns about its potential to infect humans. The virus was identified by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli, a prominent researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, known for her extensive work on coronaviruses.
What is HKU5-CoV-2?
HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the virus responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Researchers have found that this virus can bind to human ACE2 receptors, the same entry point used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19.
While HKU5-CoV-2 exhibits weaker binding affinity to ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, it still has the potential for animal-to-human transmission. However, experts emphasise that more research is required to determine if it poses a significant health risk.
How could HKU5-CoV-2 impact humans?
ACE2 receptor binding: The virus can attach to human ACE2 receptors, but less efficiently than SARS-CoV-2
Potential for spillover: Laboratory tests indicate that HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cells and organoid tissues (miniature lung or gut models).
Intermediate hosts: The virus can infect multiple mammalian species, meaning it could spread through an animal host before reaching humans
Lower transmission efficiency: While it can infect human cells, scientists suggest it is less efficient at doing so compared to SARS-CoV-2
Shi Zhengli and her team have stressed that continuous monitoring is crucial, as future mutations could potentially enhance the virus’s ability to spread.
Symptoms of HKU5-CoV-2
There have been no reported human cases of HKU5-CoV-2, so its exact symptoms remain unknown. However, since it belongs to the same viral subgenus as MERS and COVID-19, it might cause:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Fatigue
Body aches
How HKU5-CoV-2 might spread
The virus could potentially spread to humans in two main ways:
Direct transmission from bats: People who come into contact with infected bats or their bodily fluids (saliva, urine, or feces) may be at risk.
Through an intermediate host: The virus could first infect another animal species before jumping to humans, similar to how previous coronaviruses have spread.
While HKU5-CoV-2 does not currently pose an immediate pandemic threat, scientists emphasise the importance of continuous surveillance to monitor potential mutations that could increase its infectiousness.
- With inputs from agencies
