On the threshold of a new pandemic: coronavirus discovered one step away from infecting humans

American scientists have identified a potentially dangerous coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2, which is just one mutation away from being able to infect humans. The virus was discovered in bat samples from China, and according to a study published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, with certain genetic changes it can attack human cells.

Of particular concern to specialists is the similarity of the new virus to MERS-CoV - the causative agent of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, which has a mortality rate of an alarming 34 percent. In laboratory experiments, scientists created pseudoviruses with the HKU5 spike protein and demonstrated that with a specific mutation, the pathogen is capable of penetrating cells with human ACE2 receptors - the same ones used by the COVID-19 pathogen.

At the moment, the virus circulates exclusively among bats, but there is a risk that when entering the body of an intermediate host, such as a civet or mink, it may acquire the mutations necessary to infect humans. Researchers note that this is exactly how the infamous SARS-CoV-2 emerged. Additional concerns are raised by the fact that HKU5 was initially detected in a laboratory with connections to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

"Despite the absence of registered human infection cases, viruses of this group are already on the threshold of overcoming the interspecies barrier. They need to be carefully monitored," warned the lead author of the study, Professor Michael Letko from Washington State University. The scientists' work emphasizes the critical importance of wildlife monitoring and creating a global coronavirus surveillance system.