Scientists have identified a new coronavirus subgenus in Brazilian bats that possesses a feature enabling it to invade human cells, similar to SARS-CoV-2. This discovery, detailed in a non-peer-reviewed study on bioRxiv, highlights the potential for new bat-borne coronaviruses to spill over into human populations. The findings underscore the need for vigilance regarding native bat coronaviruses, which may pose future epidemic risks.
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https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19...-sars-cov-2-mutation-discovered-brazilian-batScientists have identified a new coronavirus subgenus in a Brazilian bat with a feature that, as in the related SARS-CoV-2 virus, allows it to invade human cells, per a non–peer-reviewed study published on the preprint server bioRxiv.
SARS-CoV-2, the cause of covid-19, isn’t the only coronavirus in the world we should be keeping our eye on. Scientists appear to have just discovered a new branch of coronaviruses in Brazilian bats that could have the tools needed to spill over and infect humans.
The viral relative appears to be genetically distinct from other coronaviruses yet shares a feature with SARS-CoV-2 that may allow its kind to infect human cells. The findings suggest there are plenty of native bat coronaviruses in the wild with the potential to cause new epidemics in humans.