Coronavirus

2025 - 2 - 22

Is it Covid 2.0? New Bat Virus Discovered in China!

animal-to-human transmission - bats - batwoman - coronavirus - HKU5-CoV-2 - MERS - pandemic - public health - virology - Wuhan Institute of Virology

China’s 'batwoman' strikes again, uncovering a new coronavirus that could have a serious impact on humans. Should we be worried?

In a startling discovery that has everyone holding their breath, a Chinese virologist affectionately dubbed "batwoman" has unearthed a brand-new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2. Found nestled within the delightful depths of a Japanese pipistrelle bat from Hong Kong, this virus is not just a simple virus—it’s a potential pandemic risk! The HKU5-CoV-2 virus is part of the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the pesky virus we all know too well: the one responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, under the keen eye of Shi Zhengli, found that this new wearable on the face of nature carries the risk of switching from its bat buddies to humans. The biological matchmaking is facilitated through a charming little trick—HKU5-CoV-2 enters cells using the same gateway that’s sweetly acquainted with the COVID-19 virus. It’s almost as if Mother Nature has a wild sense of humor, marrying the patterns of tragedy and the inconvenient arrival of new pathogens!

While the world has gradually eased into a new normal, scientists are urging a cautious approach. Could this be a heightened scare alert? Health officials are keeping a watchful eye on HKU5-CoV-2 and its potential animal-to-human transmission. In the grand scheme of things, this virus joins a growing ranks of viruses popping up in bats, which have been recognized as the original trendsetters of zoonotic diseases. With the world still recovering from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, HKU5-CoV-2 could inspire a sequel we definitely didn’t ask for!

Now, before you start stocking up on toilet paper again, let’s stay on the sunny side of life. Historically, bats serve as hosts for a plethora of viruses, yet only a fraction has ever spilled over to humans—which means, while we remain vigilant, the likelihood of widespread transmission is still a matter of study. Here's an interesting nugget: not all bat coronaviruses cause mayhem; In fact, many bats play important roles in maintaining ecological balance, including pest control and pollination. Knowledge is power, my friends, so let’s keep the calm while we monitor these intriguing developments!

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

China discovers new bat coronavirus (NEWS.com.au)

A Chinese virologist known as “batwoman” and a team of researchers have found a new bat coronavirus, and it carries the risk of animal-to-human ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FOX 4 Dallas"

New coronavirus discovered in Chinese bats: What we know (FOX 4 Dallas)

This virus is also a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus identified in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong, according to the South China Morning Post.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NDTV"

New Bat Coronavirus Capable Of Infecting Humans Discovered In ... (NDTV)

HKU5-CoV-2 is a coronavirus belonging to the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Business Today"

Another pandemic scare? New bat coronavirus discovered in China ... (Business Today)

The recently identified HKU5-CoV-2 virus has been found in bats within China. While there is a potential risk of transmission to humans, researchers have ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Livemint"

COVID 2.0 coming? Scientists discover new coronavirus in bats that ... (Livemint)

Researchers at Wuhan Institute of Virology, led by Shi Zhengli, discovered a new coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, in bats. While it has potential for ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Economic Times"

bat coronavirus in china: What is HKU5-CoV-2, the new bat ... (Economic Times)

HKU5-CoV-2 virus in China: After Covid-19 and HMPV, a new bat coronavirus discovered in China has sparked concerns among health officials and has triggered ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

COVID-like bat virus discovered by researchers at Chinese lab (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Detection of a new coronavirus in bats that enters cells using the same gateway as the virus that causes COVID-19 raises the possibility that it could ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FOX 9"

New coronavirus discovered in Chinese bats: What we know (FOX 9)

HKU5-CoV-2 carries a risk of animal-to-human transmission and binds to humans like the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers published their findings about ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Indian Express"

Study finds new bat Coronavirus capable of human transmission via ... (The Indian Express)

Chinese researchers, led by virologist Shi Zhengli, have discovered a new bat coronavirus that poses potential risks of animal-to-human transmission, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "R & D Magazine"

Researchers uncover new bat coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2 (R & D Magazine)

Chinese scientists have identified a newly discovered bat coronavirus, called HKU5-CoV-2, that uses the same ACE2 receptor as SARS-CoV-2 to enter human ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "fox26houston.com"

New coronavirus discovered in Chinese bats: What we know (fox26houston.com)

This virus is also a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus identified in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong, according to the South China Morning Post.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Nation Thailand"

New HKU5 coronavirus strain has not infected humans yet (Nation Thailand)

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, clarified on Saturday (February 22, 2025) regarding reports of a new ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Deccan Herald"

Chinese virologists say new bat coronavirus could infect humans via ... (Deccan Herald)

The study was led by Shi Zhengli, Chinese virologist from the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), where the Covid-19 was alleged to have ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FOX 10 News Phoenix"

New coronavirus discovered in Chinese bats: What we know (FOX 10 News Phoenix)

This virus is also a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus identified in the Japanese pipistrelle bat in Hong Kong, according to the South China Morning Post.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Livemint"

Covid-19 like new bat virus HKU5-CoV discovered at Wuhan lab ... (Livemint)

Covid-19 like new bat virus HKU5-CoV hasn't been detected in humans yet. It has only been identified in a laboratory.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Yahoo News UK"

Highly infectious, potentially deadly, new coronavirus found in China (Yahoo News UK)

The new virus, named HKU5-CoV-2, has been found by a research team led by Shi Zhengli. The virus is said to be related to MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NDTV"

New Bat Coronavirus Could Infect Humans Through Same Route As ... (NDTV)

A Chinese team of virologists have found a new bat coronavirus that carries the risk of animal-to-human transmission because it uses the same human receptor ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Hindu"

Chinese virologists say new bat coronavirus could infect humans via ... (The Hindu)

Newly discovered bat coronavirus shares entry protein with COVID-19, but poses lower risk of human transmission, researchers find.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "India Today"

China discovers new bat coronavirus capable of infecting humans ... (India Today)

The study on the new virus was carried out by leading Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, who is also known as the “batwoman” as a result of her extensive ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Straight Arrow News"

New coronavirus resembling COVID-19 discovered in bats: Report (Straight Arrow News)

Researchers in China discovered a new coronavirus that uses the same cell surface protein to enter humans as the virus that causes COVID-19.

Chinese virologists say new bat coronavirus could infect humans via ... (Kashmir Reader)

The study was led by Shi Zhengli, Chinese virologist from the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), where the COVID-19 was alleged to have emanated ...

Explore the last week