Scientists Alarmed by the New Coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2—Is the World on the Brink of Another Pandemic?

The world still remembers the stillness, the silence of empty streets and the terrifying sirens. It remembers the apprehensive fear of being locked in our homes while a virus raged across the world, bringing everything to standstill. Years have now passed, and the echoes remain, and every new discovery of a virus is like a drum that beats 10 times louder with uncertainty. Could this be the next pandemic?

Recently, scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have identified HKU5-CoV-2, a new bat-borne coronavirus with a troubling trait: it can enter human cells using the ACE2 receptor—the same pathway that allowed SARS-CoV-2 to spread with devastating speed. While no human infections have been reported, the mere revelation of this virus has already rattled markets, driving up vaccine stocks and reigniting fears of another global outbreak.

Is HKU5-CoV-2 a silent threat lurking in the shadows, or just another virus under watchful eyes? In this article, we break down everything scientists know so far, the risks it may pose, and whether the world should be on high alert once again. Learn everything about this new coronavirus strain, HKU5-CoV-2, in this exclusive article. 

Table Of Contents

1. HKU5-CoV-2 Virus: What We Know So Far?
2. Can HKU5-CoV-2 Coronavirus Infect Humans? 
3. What Are The Variants Of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations?
4. What Are The Symptoms of CoV-2 Virus?
5. Will We See Another Pandemic In The Future?
6. The Final Say 
7. FAQs
8. References 

HKU5-CoV-2 Virus: What We Know So Far?

Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), led by virologist Shi Zhengli, have identified a novel bat-derived coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2. This has the potential to enter human cells using the ACE2 receptor—the same mechanism that allowed SARS-CoV-2 to cause the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Researchers collected samples from Pipistrellus bats across several Chinese provinces, including Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Guangxi, and found that HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to a distinct lineage of coronaviruses related to MERS-CoV but only distantly linked to SARS-CoV-2. While HKU5-CoV-2 has not yet infected humans, lab studies suggest it could infect a variety of mammals, raising concerns about its potential for cross-species transmission.

The discovery, published in the journal Cell, has fueled discussions about whether HKU5-CoV-2 could lead to another pandemic. However, experts emphasise that while it can bind to human cells, it does not infect them as efficiently as SARS-CoV-2. Many coronaviruses circulate in animal populations, and only a fraction of them ever spill over to humans. 

The emergence of HKU5-CoV-2 is a reminder that zoonotic diseases—those that jump from animals to humans—are an ongoing global health threat. Deforestation, urbanisation, intensive agriculture, and climate change are accelerating the rise of new infectious diseases. 

Professor David Heymann of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine stressed the importance of early detection and surveillance systems, such as routine monitoring of influenza-like illnesses, genetic sequencing, and laboratory diagnostics along with improvement in universal health coverage to prepare for potential outbreaks.

Also Read: World AIDS Day 2024: Importance of Awareness, Effective Prevention, and Fighting Stigma Together 

Can HKU5-CoV-2 Coronavirus Infect Humans? 

That remains unclear. While lab experiments have shown that HKU5-CoV-2 can infect human cells, this doesn’t necessarily mean it can be efficiently transmitted from person to person, and there’s currently no evidence that it has infected people. 

Scientists still have to figure out how prevalent this strain is in nature— including whether it could be in game or domestic animals that might act as a bridge to humans. While HKU5-CoV-2 is now on scientists' lists, it's also conceivable that other, more lethal viruses are a greater threat. 

Bats carry a broad range of coronaviruses and act as natural reservoirs for viruses including MERS, SARS-CoV-1 — the strain of coronavirus that caused the 2002-2004 SARS outbreak — and SARS-CoV-2. 

Indeed, a 2021 paper discovered that tens of thousands of individuals in Southeast Asia could become infected each year by animal coronaviruses, with the vast majority going unrecognised because they have only mild or no symptoms. 

The infection potential of HKU5-CoV-2 can only be stated by further research, but as of now, there is no need to be concerned. 

What Are The Variants Of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations?

We have all been around news long enough to understand that since the onset of the pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus isn’t as simple as its name suggests. Of course, cause biology has to be extra complicated, we do hear terms like variants, lineages and strains thrown around, which can definitely be confusing. Let’s make it simple for you.

Imagine smartphones. A variant of a smartphone model might have slight differences, such as more storage or a different color, but it's still the same overall product (the virus). Biologically, a variant refers to a virus with minor genetic changes that don't significantly alter its behavior.

A strain is akin to a completely new smartphone series—like switching from Android to iOS—it represents significant genetic changes that affect how the virus behaves. This is what the HKU5-CoV-2 strain is. 

A lineage is like a series of smartphone models evolving over time, each new model building upon the previous one, sharing a common ancestry.

Now, how do viruses change?

How Mutations Create Variants?

Viruses mutate when they replicate, meaning small genetic changes happen over time. Most mutations don’t matter, but some help the virus survive better, spread faster, or evade immunity. When a mutation changes how the virus behaves, it becomes a new variant.

For example, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) has undergone many mutations, leading to variants like Alpha, Delta, and Omicron. Some made the virus more transmissible, while others helped it partially escape immunity.

Major SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Their Key Mutations

What Are The Symptoms of CoV-2 Virus?

The symptoms of COVID-19, which result from infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, are fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, tiredness, muscle or body pain, sore throat, and diarrhea. The symptoms may overlap with those of other respiratory infections like the flu or common colds, which may have similar signs such as cough, sore throat, and nasal blockage.

If HKU5-CoV-2 were to infect humans, theoretical symptoms could be a mix of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms like those experienced in COVID-19, perhaps with unique characteristics because of its different genetic structure. For example, it could have more severe gastrointestinal symptoms or immune response patterns, resulting in symptoms such as extreme fatigue, headache, or even neurological symptoms.

However, without actual cases in humans, these predictions remain speculative and require further research to determine the true clinical manifestations of HKU5-CoV-2 infection. This underscores the importance of building a strong immunity through diet, exercise, and stress management. 

Also Read: World Polio Day 2024: Theme, Importance, Activities! Every Shot Counts! 

Will We See Another Pandemic In The Future?

Yes—and the risk has never been higher. In an age of rapid globalisation, air travel and international trade have created the perfect conditions for a new disease to spread at an unprecedented speed. Before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel, annual passenger flights had skyrocketed to 4.5 billion—more than doubling since the early 2000s. A single infected traveler could ignite an outbreak across continents in mere days.

The greatest threats come from airborne pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza—the culprits behind history’s deadliest pandemics. While most scientists believe COVID-19 emerged from a natural spillover of SARS-CoV-2 from wildlife, the possibility of a lab-related origin lingers. With more high-containment labs handling infectious agents worldwide, concerns over accidental releases are mounting.

Adding to the sense of urgency, artificial intelligence is racing forward at a breakneck speed. While it also promises medical advancements, scientists fear it can potentially be used to create lethal viruses. The next pandemic is no longer a question of if—but when. The world needs to act now and fortify surveillance, close loopholes in biosecurity, and get ready for the next pandemic threat before time runs out.

Also Read: Stay Flu-Free This Winter With 12 Morning Drinks to Boost The Immune System! 

The Final Say 

History has shown that pandemics can reshape the world, from the bubonic plague and Spanish flu to HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. While modern medical advances help us fight infectious diseases, new threats will continue to emerge. The HKU5-CoV-2 discovery doesn't indicate the impending outbreak of another pandemic but is a powerful warning. Refinement of the world's surveillance, quick reaction mechanisms, and public health policymaking is fundamental in reducing threats from future pandemics before their scale gets unmanageable.

FAQs

1. What is the meaning of CoV 2?

CoV-2 refers to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the cause of COVID-19. It is a coronavirus strain identified as the source of the global pandemic starting in late 2019.

2. What is a SARS-CoV-2 positive test result?

A positive SARS-CoV-2 test result indicates that you are currently infected with the virus. This means you should isolate yourself to prevent the illness from spreading to others.

3. Does HKU5-CoV-2 have a vaccine?

There is currently no vaccine specifically developed for HKU5-CoV-2. Research on this virus is ongoing, and it has not yet been identified as a significant human health threat.

References 

• https://www.bloomberg.com./news/articles/2025-02-24/hku5-cov-2-what-is-new-bat-virus-similar-to-covid-19-could-pandemic-happen 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pipistrellus_bat_coronavirus_HKU5 
• https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/new-coronavirus-has-just-been-discovered-should-we-be-worried 
• https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00144-8 
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9529736/ 

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