Scientists have identified a new strain of coronavirus that has the potential to spread to humans.
Researchers from Brazil, in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong, made the discovery after collecting mouth and rectal swabs from bats.
The novel virus is closely related to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a disease known for its high fatality rate, killing approximately 35% of those infected.
Experts warn that the structure of the virus’s spike protein—responsible for facilitating infection—suggests it may be capable of infecting human cells.
The newly discovered virus, along with six others identified in the study, is now being transported to China for further testing. Scientists will assess whether these viruses can indeed infect human cells, despite ongoing concerns about such research and its potential links to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lead researcher Dr. Bruna Silverio, from the University of São Paulo, explained:
“At this stage, we cannot confirm if the virus can infect humans. However, we detected elements of its spike protein that interact with the receptor used by MERS-CoV, indicating possible transmission risk.”
