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Chinese researchers have discovered a Covid-like virus in bats that could spread to humans.<\/p>\n

Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China say the new virus enters cells using the same gateway as the virus that causes Covid-19.<\/p>\n

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HKU5-CoV-2 does not enter human cells as readily as SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, however, it uses the same cell-surface protein – ACE2 to allow it to enter human cells. <\/p>\n

It infects cells by binding to a protein found in humans and other mammals and is reportedly closely related to the coronavirus family that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).<\/p>\n

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MERS has been found in only around 2,600 people worldwide from 2012 to 2024, killing about 36 per cent of those infected.<\/p>\n

According to the World Health Organisation, the majority of cases were in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n

In experiments, HKU5-CoV-2 infected human cells with high levels of ACE2 in models of human airways and intestines. <\/p>\n

Researchers identified antibodies and antiviral drugs that would be able to target the new virus. <\/p>\n

MORE LIKE THIS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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• Campaigner who suffered alarming Covid vaccine side-effects demands compensation scheme revamp<\/a><\/li>\n
• Donald Trump pulls out of WHO over mishandling of Covid pandemic<\/a><\/li>\n
• Black Death vaccine being developed by Covid jab scientists over fears disease could return and kill millions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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  The findings also raised the possibility that the bat virus could spread from animals to humans, researchers said in their published paper in the journal Cell.<\/p>\n

  The discovery of the virus, which has not been detected in humans but rather identified in a lab, caused a reaction experts called \u201coverblown\u201d.<\/p>\n

  Dr Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, said there is lots of immunity in our population to similar viruses compared with 2019 when the pandemic began.<\/p>\n

  However, the revelations have lifted shares of vaccine makers, with Moderna Inc rising 6.6 per cent on Friday and Novavax Inc. rising 7.8 per cent. <\/p>\n

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  Pfizer Inc\u2019s Covid\u2019s vaccine partner BioNTech SE rose by 5.1 per cent.<\/p>\n

  The Wuhan institute is known for its research on bat coronavirus. They were at the centre of controversy after theories emerged that Covid-19 leaked from the lab, and sparked the global pandemic. <\/p>\n

  They have denied working with any viruses that could have started the pandemic.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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