According to Chinese researchers, a recently discovered coronavirus in bats uses the same protein that has the ability to penetrate human cells. For their study, they examined bats and found a virus capable of affecting human cells and being transmitted from person to person. As scientists suggest, this virus can become a new source of global threat to public health.
Representatives of the Institute of Modern Biology and Biotechnology of the Southern University stated that the virus they discovered has a high genetic similarity to the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, which cause coronavirus diseases in humans. They noted that the virus can effectively bind to human cell receptors, making it potentially dangerous for humanity.
"This discovery underscores the importance of studying bats and other animals at early stages for predicting and preventing emerging infections in humans," emphasized one of the researchers. He expressed concern that this virus has the potential for interspecies transmission and could be the cause of a new outbreak of coronavirus in the future.
