By It’s happening again. A new coronavirus strain, HKU5-CoV-2, has been discovered in bats by scientists at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology, raising concerns about the potential for another pandemic similar to COVID-19. The research, led by Shi Zhengli—widely known as “Batwoman” for her groundbreaking work on bat viruses—was recently published in the journal Cell.
This virus shares significant similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, and is genetically even closer to MERS-CoV, a highly lethal respiratory virus with a mortality rate reaching 35 percent. Laboratory tests reveal that HKU5-CoV-2 can invade human cells through mechanisms similar to those used by SARS-CoV-2, signaling a potential risk of human infection, explained The Daily Mail.
Experts caution that this new strain presents a serious risk of crossing over to humans, either directly from bats or through intermediary animals. Past research on merbecoviruses—of which HKU5-CoV-2 is a part—suggests these viruses circulate among various animals, including minks and pangolins, which were also linked to the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Although related viruses have been detected in bats since 2006, this latest strain appears to have a higher potential for infecting other species, including humans. Scientists are urging for increased surveillance and research to evaluate how easily this virus could spread among humans.
The discovery has reignited attention toward the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was previously embroiled in debates surrounding the lab-leak theory of COVID-19’s origins. While U.S. intelligence agencies have suggested with “low confidence” that the pandemic could have stemmed from a laboratory incident, most scientific evidence continues to point toward a natural spillover from wildlife.
The global financial markets have already reacted to this potential new threat, showing signs of anxiety reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Politico. Major stock indices took a sharp downturn; the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by more than 1,000 points at one point, and the S&P 500 dropped 2.3 percent, its worst showing since February.
Airline stocks plummeted on fears of renewed travel restrictions, with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines each losing over 10 percent of their market value. Oil prices also dropped by more than 13 percent due to concerns about a potential economic slowdown. Meanwhile, the VIX volatility index—known as Wall Street’s “fear gauge”—spiked 49 percent, reaching its highest level since January 2021. Companies that benefited from previous lockdowns, such as Zoom Communications and Peloton, experienced modest gains, while vaccine makers like Moderna and Pfizer saw notable stock surges, with Moderna rising 23 percent and Pfizer up nearly 5 percent.
This renewed economic uncertainty has heightened fears over global supply chain disruptions and possible labor shortages. Economists warn that another outbreak could worsen inflationary pressures and prompt central banks to postpone planned interest rate increases.
While it remains unclear whether HKU5-CoV-2 has the capability to spread from human to human, the discovery highlights the ongoing danger of zoonotic diseases and the need for global vigilance and preparedness in preventing future pandemics.
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