New bat virus as dangerous as COVID-19 detected | Is another pandemic looming?

A team of researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology has identified a novel coronavirus in bats that closely resembles the COVID-19 virus, according to a Bloomberg report. While no human infections have been reported yet, scientists warn that the virus has the potential to bind to the same receptor proteins as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Potential risk of human transmission

Experts suggest that this newly discovered virus has the capability to interact with proteins found in human and other mammalian cells, raising concerns about its potential to jump from animals to humans. This virus belongs to the coronavirus family, which also includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. The findings were published in the journal Cell, where researchers highlighted the possibility of future zoonotic transmission, which could lead to another outbreak.

How dangerous is this virus compared to MERS?

Since its first known cases in 2012, MERS has infected over 2,600 individuals globally until May 2024. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), MERS has a fatality rate of approximately 36%, with most cases reported in Saudi Arabia. While the severity of the new virus remains uncertain, scientists emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring and further research.

Wuhan lab and the COVID-19 controversy

The Wuhan Institute of Virology has long been at the center of research on bat coronaviruses and has previously faced scrutiny regarding the origins of COVID-19. Some theories suggest that the pandemic originated from a lab leak, possibly through an infected employee. However, Wuhan lab scientists have denied these allegations, asserting that they never worked on a virus capable of triggering a pandemic. Due to these concerns, the U.S. halted funding to the Wuhan lab in 2023, which was previously channeled through the EcoHealth Alliance.

Market reactions and surge in vaccine stocks

The discovery of the new virus has sparked movement in global financial markets, particularly boosting vaccine-related stocks:

• Moderna Inc. shares surged by 6.6%.

• Novavax Inc. stocks saw a 7.8% rise.

• BioNTech SE’s U.S. depositary receipts climbed 5.1%.

• Pfizer shares also increased by 2.6%.

As global health experts and governments closely monitor developments, uncertainty looms over whether this new virus poses a direct threat to humans. However, given past experiences, health authorities are taking a cautious approach, emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance and research.