The virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes the MERS-CoV virus responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). MERS, first detected in 2012, spreads from camels to humans and has a high fatality rate.

Chinese scientists have discovered a new coronavirus in bats called HKU5-CoV-2. It shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2 and can infect human cells. Researchers are investigating its potential to spill over to humans.

Experts note that HKU5-CoV-2 has a lower binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, and its ability to infect humans on a large scale remains uncertain. More research is needed to determine if it poses a serious health threat.

The study found that HKU5-CoV-2 contains a furin cleavage site, a feature that enhances viral entry into cells via the ACE2 receptor. In laboratory experiments, the virus was able to infect human cells with high ACE2 levels, including models of human intestines and airways.

The extensive research on coronavirus led to the discovery of HKU5-CoV-2, which can be transmitted to humans since it has the same human receptor. The virus was discovered by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengil, Wuhan Institute of Virology, referred to as 'Batwoman'.

The new virus called HKU5-CoV-2 was found by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli, a scientist known as “Batwoman” for her work in coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute, The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports.

Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have discovered a new coronavirus in bats named HKU5-CoV-2, which closely resembles the Covid-19 strain

Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have detected a new coronavirus in bats that is capable of entering human cells using the exact same mechanism as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Experts are concerned about a new strain of coronavirus discovered in bats that could potentially spread to humans. The HKU5-CoV-2 strain was identified by a team of Chinese virologists led by Shi Zhengli,