In 2020, the world has stopped. In question? A pandemic caused by a SARS-COV-2 virus, also known as COVID-19. Recently, a study carried out by Chinese researchers and published on February 18, 2025 in the journal Cell Highlights that a coronavirus with similar capacities and characteristics was discovered in bats.
A coronavirus with similar properties of that of 2020
Appointed HKU5-COV-2, this coronavirus was discovered in bats in China. And according to the study published on February 18, 2025, the latter used a property that was already found at SARS-COV-2 in 2020.
Indeed, to penetrate the carrier's body, this newly discovered virus uses the same cellular surface protein which had been discovered on the coronavirus responsible for the pandemic.
And according to Chinese researchers responsible for this study, this notably fears that this particular virus can be transmitted to humans. Even more with regard to the experiences they have been able to conduct on human cells and that the latter found themselves contaminated.
Faced with this, scientists were also able to identify the different responses to this viral infection so that it can be treated, if necessary.
The humanity already immune?
Five years after the COVID-19 paralyzed the whole world, should we fear a recurrence with a new coronavirus?
A legitimate fear but which would not have to be according to Doctor Michael Osterholm. This infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota in the United States expressed that the reactions regarding the conclusions of this study had been exaggerated.
Also stating that a large part of the world's population was already immune, thanks to vaccines, coronavirus similar to SARS-COV-2. This therefore induces a largely reduced risk of pandemic.
Finally, and this may have been invised by the fear of a possible return to confinement from around the world, the study also specifies that the HKU5-COV-2 coronavirus has much less “affinities” with the human cell which had been responsible for the penetration of SARS-COV-2 in our body.
In other words, we would not be faced with a risk of pandemic.
Source : Reuters
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