Similar to COVID-19 and capable of mutation: what we know about the HKU5 virus discovered in bats.

Among the hundreds of thousands of viruses inhabiting our world, certain strains of dangerous diseases have recently emerged from the shadows, capturing scientists' attention due to their potential implications for global health. One such virus is the Pipistrellus HKU5 bat coronavirus (Bat-CoV HKU5) — an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus with a positive strand, discovered in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong. It shares close genetic kinship with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which caused an outbreak in 2012, according to South China Morning Post.

The discovery of Bat-CoV HKU5 quickly raised questions among scientists about its ability to infect humans, as many still vividly remember the onset of the last pandemic. Their research, published in the journal Cell and conducted under the guidance of Shi Zhengli — a leading virologist known as the "bat woman," indicated that while MERS-CoV uses the DPP4 receptor to penetrate human cells, Bat-CoV HKU5 may utilize the ACE2 receptor of its natural host, the Japanese pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus abramus), to invade our bodies.

Animals Once Again Heralding Apocalypse

zoonotic diseases are infections that are transmitted from animals to humans, often through direct contact or contaminated food and water. Over 60% of known infectious diseases in humans are zoonoses, making them a significant public health concern.

Approximately 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases originate from animals, including viruses such as Ebola and coronaviruses. These diseases can also be transmitted through vectors like ticks and mosquitoes, which further enhances their spread.

Some of the most well-known zoonoses include rabies, salmonellosis, and Lyme disease, all of which pose threats to human health. Effective prevention strategies include vaccination, adherence to hygiene practices, and monitoring animal populations.

A Pandemic That Changed Our World Forever

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, significantly impacted all aspects of our daily lives globally. Emerging in late 2019, this virus led to widespread illness, considerable mortality, and unprecedented disruptions to daily life and economies worldwide. The pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities of global health systems and underscored the need for reliable epidemic surveillance and rapid response mechanisms to combat outbreaks of similar infectious diseases.

As of early 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 780 million confirmed cases worldwide, with approximately 7 million deaths officially recorded. However, an analysis of excess mortality suggests that the true number of fatalities may be significantly higher.

In the United States, COVID-19 continues to infect the population, with an average of about 900 deaths per week over the past year. Older adults have been disproportionately affected by the virus, accounting for about half of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths from COVID-19 in the country during the previous winter among individuals aged 75 and older.

The pandemic has also led to a reduction in life expectancy in several countries. For instance, in the U.S., life expectancy dropped by nearly 3 years from 2019 to 2021.

Vaccination has been rolled out globally, with over 13.5 billion doses administered worldwide. More than 70% of the global population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite these efforts, vaccine inequality persists, particularly in low-income countries that face challenges in obtaining booster doses.

The recent pandemic has also profoundly impacted mental health worldwide. Depression and anxiety rates have surged by 25% everywhere, with young people and healthcare workers being the most affected groups.

COVID-19 Continues to Live and Thrive

As of early 2025, the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve with the emergence of new variants. One such variant, XHC, first identified in Germany in mid-2024, has been detected in several countries, including the U.S., the UK, and Australia. XHC is a recombinant variant combining genetic material from previous subvariants of Omicron KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. Initial data from its study suggested that XHC may have a transmission advantage over earlier strains, although existing vaccines remain effective at reducing severe disease associated with this variant.

Another variant of interest is KP.3.1.1, a descendant of the JN.1 Omicron lineage. By mid-2024, KP.3.1.1 accounted for a significant portion of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. This variant is characterized by increased transmissibility and the ability to bypass immune responses triggered by previous infections and vaccinations. In response, updated vaccines targeting the KP.2 strain have been developed, which are expected to provide protection against KP.3.1.1.

The emergence of these variants highlights the dynamic nature of SARS-CoV-2 viruses and their mutations, giving rise to new variants. Monitoring such changes allows for timely updates to public health strategies and vaccine formulations, ensuring sustained protection against evolving strains. Health authorities worldwide are actively tracking these mutations to leverage them in vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures.

Although Bat-CoV HKU5 remains a virus predominantly found in bats and currently lacks evidence of human infection, its mere existence does not rule out the possibility of a mutation that could initiate a new pandemic across the globe. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the continuous emergence of new variants like XHC and KP.3.1.1, underscore the urgent need for proactive disease monitoring, research, and preparedness to mitigate potential future zoonotic and pandemic threats.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not contain advice that may affect your health. If you are experiencing issues, please consult a specialist.