Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have detected a new coronavirus in bats that is capable of entering human cells using the exact same mechanism as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

HKU5-CoV-2 — can spread to humans like Covid-19, said experts on Saturday, raising fresh health concerns. HKU5-CoV-2 was identified by a team of Chinese virologists led by Shi Zhengli, a renowned scientist at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.

A newly discovered bat coronavirus uses the same cell-surface protein to gain entry into human cells as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, raising the possibility that it could someday spread to humans,

Experts note that HKU5-CoV-2 has a lower binding affinity to human ACE2 than SARS-CoV-2, and its ability to infect humans on a large scale remains uncertain. More research is needed to determine if it poses a serious health threat.

The study found that HKU5-CoV-2 contains a furin cleavage site, a feature that enhances viral entry into cells via the ACE2 receptor. In laboratory experiments, the virus was able to infect human cells with high ACE2 levels, including models of human intestines and airways.

After Covid-19 and HMPV, a new bat coronavirus discovered in China has sparked concerns among health officials and has triggered another pandemic fear. The newly discovered virus, however, is yet to be detected in humans.

The extensive research on coronavirus led to the discovery of HKU5-CoV-2, which can be transmitted to humans since it has the same human receptor. The virus was discovered by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengil, Wuhan Institute of Virology, referred to as 'Batwoman'.