Lagatar24 Desk
Beijing: A team of Chinese virologists has identified a new bat coronavirus that carries the potential for animal-to-human transmission using the same receptor as the COVID-19 virus, according to a new study.
The research was led by Shi Zhengli, a virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)—the same lab that has been at the center of global controversy over the origins of COVID-19. Shi, often called “Bat Woman” for her extensive research on bat viruses, and the Chinese government have denied allegations that COVID-19 was leaked from the Wuhan lab.
New Coronavirus Discovery
The newly discovered virus belongs to the HKU5 coronavirus lineage, first detected in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong. It comes from the Merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, found that the virus can bind to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)—the same receptor used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
“We report the discovery and isolation of a distinct lineage (lineage 2) of HKU5-CoV, which can utilize not only bat ACE2 but also human ACE2 and various mammalian ACE2 orthologs,” the research team stated in the study.
When isolated from bat samples, the virus infected human cells and laboratory-grown miniature respiratory and intestinal organ tissues, raising concerns about its potential to infect humans.
Wuhan Lab and Gain-of-Function Research Allegations
The study comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has been accused of conducting gain-of-function (GoF) research—a controversial form of scientific study that enhances a virus’s ability to infect or transmit.
Earlier this month, China denied allegations that WIV had conducted such research. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated,
“The Wuhan Institute of Virology has never engaged in gain-of-function studies on coronaviruses. Never has it designed, made, or leaked COVID-19.”
His statement came in response to recent American media reports suggesting that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) used taxpayer funds to support gain-of-function research at WIV, possibly contributing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former US President Donald Trump had previously halted USAID-funded projects that were not aligned with American strategic interests, including collaborations with Chinese labs.
WHO Investigation and China’s Stand
China continues to maintain that the origins of COVID-19 remain unclear and strongly rejects political accusationsregarding the virus’s lab origins. The World Health Organization (WHO), following an investigation, also stated that a lab leak was “extremely unlikely.”
As scientists continue to monitor emerging threats, the discovery of this new bat coronavirus underscores the ongoing risks of zoonotic diseases and the importance of strict global biosecurity measures.
