Another pandemic? What is HKU5-CoV-2, new Covid-like bat virus found in Wuhan?

Extensive coronavirus research has led to the discovery of a new bat virus called HKU5-CoV-2.

According to a new study published in the medical journal Cell, the new virus can enter human cells using the same gateway as the virus that causes COVID-19.

Scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China have revealed the lineage of the virus and its potential to transmit from animals to humans, raising global concerns of a future pandemic.

Here’s all we know about the new virus.

HKU5-CoV-2

Also known as Bat Virus, it belongs to the “merbecovirus subgenus,” which is responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

The virus was first detected in the Japanese pipistrelle bat species in Hong Kong and has now been found to have the ability to bind to a protein called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors.

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ACE2 is the same gateway used by the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. Notably, some coronaviruses cause mild symptoms in humans, while others can be lethal.

As there are currently no verified human instances of HKU5-CoV-2, the symptoms are unknown.

However, experts point out that it’s likely to cause respiratory symptoms similar to COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, body aches and fatigue, according to The Week.

Transmission

The researchers collected the HKU5-CoV-2 strain from hundreds of Pipistrellus bats across Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Guangxi provinces in China, according to Bloomberg. The virologist team was led by Shi Zhengil, a renowned virologist often called “Batwoman,” whose facility faced allegations of its role in the emergence of SARS-CoV-2.

They tested the newly discovered germ in test tubes and models of the human gut and airways to investigate its transmission potential, as per Reuters.

They discovered that a receptor enzyme on the surface of human cells allowed the spike protein of the virus to attach to the membrane of those cells.

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The feature of this protein known as a “furin cleavage site” aids in its ability to bind to the receptor enzyme.

No immediate cause for concern

There’s no immediate cause for concern because there’s no evidence that the bat virus can efficiently transmit from person to person.

Notably, bats host a variety of coronaviruses, including MERS, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2. According to Bloomberg, which cited a 2021 study, many thousands of Southeast Asians may contract animal coronaviruses each year, but the majority of these go undiagnosed since they only cause little or no symptoms.

However, the discovery is significant because of the potential transmission pathway that is similar to that of the SARS-CoV-2.

HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cells and lung tissues, according to laboratory testing, although it is much less capable of rapidly spreading among people than SARS-CoV-2.

The study itself noted that the virus has significantly less binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, and other suboptimal factors for human adaptation suggest the “risk of emergence in human populations should not be exaggerated.”

University of Minnesota infectious disease expert Dr Michael Osterholm told Reuters the reaction to the research was “overblown.” He said it was also possible that increased immunity to similar viruses could help protect the public from another pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already listed merbecoviruses as a priority for pandemic preparedness.

Dr Sanjeev Bagai, chairman, of Nephron Clinic, told News18, “So far, there are no cases where HKU5-CoV-2 infection has been passed from bats to humans. Also, there are not many mutations in the virus, and the transferability risk is also low. The virus is less infectious and less pathogenic."

“While we still have limited information on the virus, gauging the available information, there seems to be no cause for immediate concern or threat," he added.

The discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 highlights the significance of enhancing zoonotic disease monitoring, even though the origins of COVID-19 are still up for question.

Treatment

The researchers found that antiviral medications and monoclonal antibodies might be used to treat a human infection caused by a bat virus such as HKU5-CoV-2.

Proteins called monoclonal antibodies are produced in laboratories to target a variety of diseases, including cancer.

They have been designed to target the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in a bid to stop it from infecting human cells, according to Forbes. This is a crucial treatment for those with weakened immune systems who might not receive adequate protection from vaccinations.

Depending on whatever COVID-19 variation a patient contracts, these can be very successful treatments, however, their effectiveness varies.

Antiviral drugs, on the other hand, are made to prevent viruses from spreading throughout the body, which may reduce symptoms and shorten illness. They are used to treat COVID-19 and the flu, among other disorders.

On Friday, news of the discovery moved the shares of some vaccine manufacturers.

Moderna Inc. saw a 6.6 per cent increase. Novavax Inc. had a 7.8 per cent rise on Friday afternoon.

The COVID vaccination partner of Pfizer Inc., BioNTechSE, saw a 5.1 per cent rise in depository receipts in the United States. According to Bloomberg, Pfizer’s profit reached 2.6 per cent.

With inputs from agencies