Is the world awaiting another pandemic? Chinese scientists warn of new coronavirus

Chinese scientists have raised concerns about whether the HKU 5 COV-2, a newly discovered coronavirus variant that spreads from animals to humans, may cause another global pandemic. It was revealed in the latest research report published by a group of scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. The research was led by renowned virologist Zhengli She, the ‘bat woman’. She is one of the scientists who played a crucial role in identifying the origins of the SARS epidemic in 2003, MERS in 2021 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

In the research study published in the Cell Medical Journal, the scientists state that HKU5–CoV–2 enters the human cells through the ACE2 receptors just like the COVID-19 virus. The new virus, too, was discovered in the bats first. However, this virus hasn’t been reported in humans until now. Meanwhile, the health experts in India say that the HKU5 COVI viruses have adopted unique methods to enter the cells. HKU5 – COVI 2 relies on the ACE2 receptor protein to enter the human body, causing concern among the scientific community.

Dr Sanjeev Bagai told a news channel that the HKU 5 – COVI 2 virus is similar to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). He, however, added that it is unlikely for the virus to become a pandemic as it hasn’t undergone any major mutations. Dr Upalabd Gopal, associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation stated that the HKU 5 COVI 2 virus is not as efficient as the SARS COV virus in utilizing the ACE2 receptors. Although he said there was no need to panic, Dr Gopal added that more research is required to determine the characteristics of the new virus.