web counter
LEXO PA REKLAMA!

SHKARKO APP

E fundit!

x

New virus discovered in China/ What is known about HKU5-CoV-2 infection

2025-06-08 21:44:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

New virus discovered in China/ What is known about HKU5-CoV-2 infection

Experts have warned that a new coronavirus discovered in China is just a small step away from mutating and causing another global pandemic.

Scientists believe the variant, called HKU5-CoV-2, can infect a wider range of animals than Covid-19, which caused millions of deaths, and may have more potential to jump between species.

American researchers fear that HKU5-CoV-2, found in China, could also infect humans, leading to a widespread outbreak.

The new study, published in Nature Communications, looked at a lesser-known group of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses, which includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV, which is responsible for the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

The study found that a small change in the virus's protein could allow it to attach to human ACE2 cells in people's throats, mouths and noses.

HKU5-CoV-2 can infect and replicate within human cells in both the respiratory tract and the gut. /CNA





Lajmet e fundit nga