New bat Coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2 discovered in China; potential risk of animal-to-human transmission

Key takeaways

• Scientists discover HKU5-CoV-2, a bat Coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2.
• The virus can bind to human ACE2 cells, raising concerns about zoonotic transmission.
• Lab tests show HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cell cultures.
• Experts believe the pandemic risk is low due to existing immunity and weaker binding affinity.

Discovery of HKU5-CoV-2 in China

A new bat Coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2 has been discovered in China, with the potential for animal-to-human transmission similar to the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the virus was identified by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli, a renowned scientist from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, often referred to as “Batwoman” for her research on Coronaviruses.

The Chinese researchers found that HKU5-CoV-2 shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused COVID-19, as both viruses can bind to human cells via the ACE2 receptor. This discovery raises concerns about potential spillover into humans, although the risk remains uncertain.

What is HKU5-CoV-2?

HKU5-CoV-2 is classified under the Merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the virus responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Scientists found that HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, similar to SARS-CoV-2 and NL63, a common cold virus.

During laboratory tests, the virus successfully infected human cell cultures in mini-human organ models, indicating its capability to infiltrate human cells. The research team highlighted that bat Merbecoviruses, closely related to MERS-CoV, pose a significant risk of transmission to humans, either directly or through intermediate hosts. However, the likelihood of the virus spilling over into humans remains under investigation.

Potential risk of human transmission

The study noted that HKU5-CoV-2 exhibits better adaptation to human ACE2 receptors compared to the original HKU5-CoV lineage. The virus successfully infected human ACE2-expressing cell lines and human respiratory and enteric organoids during lab experiments. This indicates that the virus could potentially infect humans, although its ability to cause disease remains unknown.

Despite these findings, the virus has significantly less binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, which reduces its potential to cause widespread infection. The researchers emphasized that while HKU5-CoV-2 demonstrates zoonotic potential, the risk of emergence in human populations should not be overstated.

Could HKU5-CoV-2 trigger another pandemic?

Concerns about the possibility of another pandemic have emerged following the discovery of HKU5-CoV-2. However, infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Osterholm from the University of Minnesota described the reaction to the study as “overblown.” He pointed out that the global population now has greater immunity to SARS-related viruses compared to 2019, which could reduce the risk of a pandemic.

Additionally, the study itself stated that several factors, including the virus’s weaker binding affinity to human ACE2 receptors, make it less likely to adapt for widespread human transmission. Therefore, while the discovery warrants monitoring, experts believe the risk of a new pandemic from HKU5-CoV-2 remains low.

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