Researchers have discovered another bat coronavirus that has caused concern in China, but is reportedly at a low risk of infecting humans.
The group of researchers who made the discovery was led by Shi Zhengli of Guangzhou Institute in Guangdong Province, China, Fox News It has been reported Note that on Sunday, Shi is called “Batwoman.”
Shi is a leading researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, according to Breitbart News.
The Fox article details more information about the recently discovered virus.
The virus named HKU5-COV-2 is similar to SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in that it targets the same human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2). South China Morning Post.
HKU5-COV-2 can lead to human-to-human or heterogeneous transmission, researchers found.
Researchers recently published their findings in the Scientific Journal Cell. Scientists reportedly discovered that the virus could infect human cells and “artificially grown lung and intestinal tissues.”
In November, Breitbart News reported that Shi, whose previous research may have links to the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, was researching the coronavirus with Western scientists.
“SHI's latest project is creating custom coronavirus receptors, molecules that help viruses bind to cells in host organisms,” said John Hayward of Breitbart News.
“People involved in this project will join forces with the “Batladies” who helped unleash the pandemic around the world to create the perfect modular delivery system for the coronavirus shutting down the world. It appears that the public is on guard. He continued.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst and professor of clinical medicine at Nyu Langone Health and Fox News, told the outlet that the virus could infect humans.
However, he emphasizes that the risk of infection is very low, noting that the virus is not as strong as SARS-COV-2.
“Even as we continue to investigate potential human pathogens, it's very important not to succumb to fear, even if we prepare for a possible pandemic,” he said.
In January, John Ratcliffe, director of the Central Intelligence Bureau (CIA), told Breitbart News that he intends to know everything the agency knew about the coronavirus that was leaking from Uhan's lab. The outlet reported.
“You know, I've been on record saying that our intelligence, science and our common sense are all really dictating that the origin of COVID is a leak from the Wuhan Virology Institute. “I'll do that,” he told Breitbart News' Matt. Boil.
“But the CIA hasn't done that rating, or at least not published that rating, so I'm focusing on it, looking at intelligence and making sure the government agencies get off the sidelines. I'll make sure it's aware,” Ratcliffe said.
President Donald Trump said the United States will continue to investigate the origins of the coronavirus during his first term in office, Breitbart News reported in April 2020.
