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.

A study claims that a new virus has been detected in the Wuhan Lab, where the Covid-19 virus originated. Know all about HKU5-CoV-2 virus.

The new virus called HKU5-CoV-2 was found by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli, a scientist known as “Batwoman” for her work in coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute, The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports.

CoV-2, has raised concerns due to its ability to infect human cells, much like the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the virus was identified by a team of virologists led by Shi Zhengli,

The discovery of HKU5 coronavirus lineage (HKU5-CoV-2) in bats was led by Shi Zhengli, the Chinese virologist known as the “batwoman” due to her research on bat coronaviruses. Like SARS-CoV-2, the bat virus HKU5-CoV-2 contains a feature known as the furin cleavage site that helps it to enter cells.

A research team led by "bat lady" Shi Zhengli found a new bat strain of coronavirus, which could pose a potential threat on humans. Read on to know whether it could lead to another pandemic.