An international team of scientists has identified a new coronavirus strain that shows signs of being able to infect humans.
The discovery was made by researchers from Brazil, working alongside experts from the University of Hong Kong, after collecting swabs from the mouths and rectums of bats during a study.
The newly detected virus is genetically similar to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a deadly coronavirus that carries a fatality rate of around 35%.
Scientists have raised concerns over the virus's spike protein — the component that allows it to latch onto and invade cells — indicating it may have the capacity to bind to human cell receptors.
The virus, along with six other newly discovered strains from the study, is being transported to China for further analysis. Researchers aim to conduct additional tests to confirm whether the strain can effectively infect human cells.
Dr. Bruna Silverio from the University of São Paulo, who led the research, acknowledged the potential risk but noted that more investigation is needed.
“We’re not certain yet if this virus can infect humans,” Dr. Silverio explained. “However, we identified key parts of its spike protein that suggest it might interact with the same receptor MERS-CoV uses to enter human cells.”
The discovery has sparked fresh debate about studying potentially dangerous viruses, with ongoing global sensitivity around lab research following the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists, however, stress that understanding these viruses is crucial for preventing future outbreaks.
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Profman1
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