A recently identified bat coronavirus in China, HKU5-CoV-2, has triggered worries about a potential new pandemic. This virus shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, particularly in its ability to target the same human receptor, ACE2. Researchers have indicated that HKU5-CoV-2 could facilitate human-to-human and even cross-species transmission.

The research team, led by Zheng-Li Shi, also known as the "batwoman," conducted the study at the Guangzhou Laboratory in Guangdong, China. Shi previously worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a location that faced scrutiny as a possible origin point of COVID-19.

The study, published in the journal Cell, highlights the virus's potential zoonotic risk due to its efficient use of human ACE2. Researchers from the Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology also participated in the study.

Reports suggest that HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cells, as well as lab-grown lung and intestinal tissues. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine and Fox News senior medical analyst, explained that bats are known carriers of various coronaviruses. He pointed out that this specific strain, found in a pipistrellus bat species, is related to the MERS virus, which caused a limited outbreak in 2012.

While this new strain can bind to the same receptors in the human respiratory system as SARS-CoV-2, Dr. Siegel emphasized that the binding is weaker and the virus itself is less potent, making the risk of zoonotic spillover and human-to-human transmission relatively low. He stressed the importance of continued research and pandemic preparedness while avoiding undue alarm.

Dr. Siegel advocated for the establishment of an international scientific consortium to enhance global protection against future pandemics, noting the lack of such collaboration during the COVID-19 crisis. He sees the publication of this study in a prominent journal as a positive step towards greater transparency and scientific cooperation.