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.
China released a white paper on COVID-19 prevention, control and origins tracing on Wednesday, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported, lauding its own contributions while casting doubts on the United States.
Bulgaria has seen a sharp rise in diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, including Lyme disease and West Nile fever, with health authorities warning of an urgent need for stricter pest control measures.
he Trump administration has replaced the Covid.gov website, once a central hub for COVID-19 resources, with a new platform focusing on the lab leak theory regarding the virus's origins.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his doctor, Asim Hussain. The 70-year-old leader has been advised to remain in isolation as a precautionary measure, while his condition is reported to be improving.
Australia is facing the continued emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants more than five years after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
Ten Baltic Sea NATO states and the EU signed a memorandum to enhance cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan to help integrate renewable energy into power grids and enhance electricity reliability in key regions. The national grid operator will contribute an additional $50 million to the five-year program.
The sixth European Political Community summit opens this Friday in Tirana, Albania, bringing together 47 heads of state and EU institutions—alongside Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine—to forge unified strategies on European security, defense and continued support for Ukraine.
Transport ministers from China and Central Asian countries signed two memoranda of understanding to enhance digitalization and streamline cross-border freight operations, aiming to unlock greater economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation potential in the region.
The number of billionaires in the UK has dropped for the second year in a row, hitting the lowest level in over a decade, according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
Ten Baltic Sea NATO states and the EU signed a memorandum to enhance cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The sixth European Political Community summit opens this Friday in Tirana, Albania, bringing together 47 heads of state and EU institutions—alongside Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine—to forge unified strategies on European security, defense and continued support for Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his visit to Abu Dhabi on May 16, announcing a landmark deal between the United States and the UAE that will allow the Gulf nation to purchase advanced artificial intelligence semiconductors from U.S. companies, marking a significant step in their strategic par
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Türkiye for their first direct peace talks since 2022, with discussions lasting under two hours.
A trilateral meeting between delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Türkiye ended in Istanbul on Friday. The one-hour session, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focused on a peaceful resolution to the Russia–Ukraine war.
Ten Baltic Sea NATO states and the EU signed a memorandum to enhance cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan to help integrate renewable energy into power grids and enhance electricity reliability in key regions. The national grid operator will contribute an additional $50 million to the five-year program.
The sixth European Political Community summit opens this Friday in Tirana, Albania, bringing together 47 heads of state and EU institutions—alongside Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine—to forge unified strategies on European security, defense and continued support for Ukraine.
Transport ministers from China and Central Asian countries signed two memoranda of understanding to enhance digitalization and streamline cross-border freight operations, aiming to unlock greater economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation potential in the region.
The number of billionaires in the UK has dropped for the second year in a row, hitting the lowest level in over a decade, according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2025.
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