Beijing, February 24, 2025 – A newly identified bat coronavirus, designated HKU5-CoV-2, has been found to enter human cells using the same cell-surface protein as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, according to a study published in the journal Cell.
While the virus possesses key features such as a furin cleavage site that facilitates entry via the ACE2 receptor, researchers noted that it does not infect human cells as efficiently as SARS-CoV-2.
In laboratory experiments, HKU5-CoV-2 successfully infected human cells with high ACE2 levels in both test tube assays and in models simulating human intestinal and airway tissues. The study further identified several monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs capable of targeting the bat virus, offering potential avenues for preemptive therapeutic strategies.
The research has attracted significant market attention; Bloomberg reported that news of the study influenced a modest rise in shares of several COVID vaccine manufacturers, including Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. However, infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Osterholm from the University of Minnesota cautioned that the reaction might be “overblown.” He pointed to the extensive preexisting immunity in the global population against similar SARS viruses and the markedly lower binding affinity of HKU5-CoV-2 to human ACE2 compared with SARS-CoV-2, factors that could mitigate the pandemic risk.
While the discovery highlights a potential pathway for zoonotic spillover, the authors of the study stressed that several suboptimal factors for human adaptation suggest that the risk of this bat virus emerging as a human pathogen should not be exaggerated. The findings add to the growing body of research on coronaviruses and underscore the importance of continued surveillance of wildlife pathogens.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Riyadh will not permit its airspace or territory to be use...
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sh...
Nigeria’s army says troops have rescued 11 kidnap victims during a late-night operation on the Kaduna–Abuja highway after tracking militants movin...
The European Parliament has delayed until next week a decision on whether to resume work on the EU–U.S. trade deal....
Hundreds of torchbearers filled the streets of Lerwick as Up Helly Aa lit the Shetland night....
The United States officially left the World Health Organization on 22 January, triggering a financial and operational crisis at the United Nations health agency. The move follows a year of warnings from global health experts that a U.S. exit could undermine public health at home and abroad.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian and health crisis in 2025, with millions of returning refugees expected to stretch the country’s already fragile health system.
Qantas Airways has been fined A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally firing 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and replacing them with contractors, the Federal Court of Australia said on Monday (August 18).
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep flaws in how the world prepares for and responds to global health threats. From overwhelmed hospitals to fragmented international coordination, the crisis revealed that preparedness goes beyond stockpiles. It requires trust, transparency, and global cooperation.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in response to soaring inflation and a national currency crisis.
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has climbed to 6,126, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, often viewed as a bellwether for the complex diplomatic currents between the Kremlin and the West, has issued a startling prediction regarding the endgame of the war in Ukraine.
The strategic axis between Israel and Azerbaijan has been significantly reinforced this week as President Ilham Aliyev received Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Baku.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that Europe is "incapable" of defending itself alone without the United States, dismissing calls for a separate European defence force and stressing that transatlantic cooperation remains essential for the continent’s security.
Three Dutch parties have agreed to form a minority coalition that will install D66 leader Rob Jetten as the country’s youngest prime minister.
Storm Chandra brought severe flooding and widespread disruption to parts of Ireland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as strong winds and heavy rain swept across the island.
Nigeria’s army says troops have rescued 11 kidnap victims during a late-night operation on the Kaduna–Abuja highway after tracking militants moving captives through forested terrain.
The European Parliament has delayed until next week a decision on whether to resume work on the EU–U.S. trade deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Washington would withdraw its support for Iraq if former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki is returned to power, citing concerns over governance, stability and regional influence.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment