Possible HKU5 virus mutation of bats leaves scientists worried

Five years after the start of the world’s COVID-19 propagation, studies on another coronavirus subset leaves scientists concerned about a possible new pandemic.

The HKU5 virus originated in bats, as most scientists believe it had happened SARS-DONE-2 which caused the pandemic of Covid-1

Studies have so far concluded that this virus is unable to cause major damage to humans.

But one potential viral mutation It can change this situation, note a.

The pathogen, who is naturally in the Japanese domestic bat, is a Merbecovirus subgroupwhich is in turn a coronavirus subcategory that causes diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

In the last two decades, scientists have cataloged the genetic sequences of thousands of viruses in wild animals, but in “most cases, little is known about If these viruses represent a threat for humans, ”says the authors of a recently published in the Nature Communications

Although it is unlikely that the HKU5 in its current form infected human, scientists say that This may change if the virus is changed. And, it is unlikely that most merbecoviruses have the ability to infect humans, if there is any subgroup that can do it is HKU5, he says.

The new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, concluded that HKU5 gets “adhere to the ACE2 receptor in the target cells” — o same method as coronavirus strain Identified in 2019 uses to transmit COVID-19.

At this time, HKU5 viruses “can only properly explore the Ace2 receptor in bats – and They are much less effective to adhere to those in human cells. ”Still, scientists have already identified potential mutations that may allow viruses to attach to the recetors ACE2 in other species, including humans.

“HKU5 can just be a small step to be able to jump to humans, ”he says Michael LetkoVirologist at the University of Washington and the main author of the study of the University.

“Although there is no evidence that they have jumped to people yet, the potential exists-and this makes them worthy of surveillance,” adds Letko.

However, some researchers minimize the idea that HKU5 may ever reach humans.

The strain was identified by Chinese scientists in early 2025, and, according to a spokesman at the CDC / US Disease Control and Disease Prevention Centers, “There is no reason to believe which currently represents a concern for public health ”.