New Bat Coronavirus Could Infect Humans Through Same Pathway as COVID-19, Study Finds

Beijing: A team of Chinese virologists has identified a new bat coronavirus capable of infecting human cells through the same biological pathway as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The findings, first reported by the South China Morning Post, suggest that the newly discovered virus could potentially cross the species barrier, raising concerns over future zoonotic outbreaks.

The study was led by Shi Zhengli, a prominent virologist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), a facility that has been at the center of controversy regarding the origins of COVID-19. Shi, often referred to as "Bat Woman" due to her extensive research on bat-borne viruses, has denied allegations that the virus was leaked from the Wuhan lab, a claim that the Chinese government also refutes.

A New Lineage of the HKU5 Coronavirus

According to the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, the newly identified virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, which includes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). It is classified as a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus, first detected in the Japanese pipistrelle bat species in Hong Kong.

What makes this discovery particularly significant is that the virus is capable of binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, the same mechanism used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect human cells.

“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 researchers stated in their study.

Laboratory tests confirmed that when isolated from bat samples, the virus was able to infect human cells, as well as organoids—artificially grown miniaturized organs designed to mimic human respiratory and intestinal tissues.

Concerns Over Potential Zoonotic Transmission

The discovery of a new coronavirus capable of human infection has renewed concerns over zoonotic spillover events, where animal viruses jump to humans, potentially leading to new pandemics. The study underscores the need for continued surveillance of bat coronaviruses to assess their risk to public health.

While the exact transmission risk of this new virus remains uncertain, scientists warn that mutations could enhance its ability to spread among humans, as was the case with both SARS-CoV-1 (2002) and SARS-CoV-2 (2019).

China Defends Wuhan Lab Amid Renewed Scrutiny

The discovery comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, particularly regarding its past research on coronaviruses. Allegations resurfaced this month that USAID-funded projects may have supported gain-of-function research—a controversial type of study that enhances a virus’s capabilities—at the Wuhan lab.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun firmly denied these claims.

“The Wuhan Institute of Virology has never engaged in gain-of-function studies of coronavirus, nor has it designed, created, or leaked COVID-19,” Guo stated at a media briefing in Beijing.

Guo also reiterated China’s opposition to what it calls “political manipulation” surrounding the origins of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump has taken action by shutting down USAID-funded research that he claims wastes taxpayer money and does not align with American strategic interests.

A Call for Global Vigilance

As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists stress the importance of proactive monitoring of emerging viruses to prevent future outbreaks. The latest discovery highlights the complexity of coronavirus evolution and the critical need for international collaboration in virus surveillance and research.

With increasing concerns over new viral threats, public health experts urge governments and research institutions to invest in early warning systems and enhance global biosecurity measures to mitigate future risks.