New coronavirus in bats cannot be transmitted to humans
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) has said there is no evidence that the new coronavirus identified by a group of Chinese researchers in bats can be transmitted to humans .
According to a study published in the scientific journal Cell, a team of researchers in China isolated and investigated a new coronavirus (merbecovirus BtHKU5-CoV-2) from bats; however, the ECDC considers that, at the moment, there is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans.
For the ECDC, although the study provides "valuable laboratory characterisation data on the virus's ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors", this cannot be considered proof of infection or risk of transmission in humans. "Indeed, the authors themselves warn of the danger of exaggerating the importance of their results," the Centre added.
In this regard, the ECDC explained that many coronaviruses and influenza viruses of animal origin can replicate in human cells; however, their replication in a laboratory "does not necessarily mean that these viruses can be successfully transmitted from animals to humans or between humans."
There are many other factors that influence a virus's ability to infect humans. However, what these findings highlight is the need for continued surveillance of coronaviruses and other pathogens with pandemic potential," ECDC said.
Finally, the European Centre stressed that it is constantly monitoring the epidemiological and virological situation regarding respiratory viruses and urged people to visit the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS) for the latest data on Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus and seasonal influenza.
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Editor's note: The ECDC is an agency of the European Union based in Stockholm, Sweden, whose main function is to strengthen Europe's defence against infectious diseases. Its monitoring and risk assessment have been key in the response to pandemics such as Covid-19.
The merbecovirus BtHKU5-CoV-2 belongs to the Merbecovirus genus, the same group as MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus). However, the lack of evidence of transmission to humans suggests that this new virus does not represent, for now, an imminent threat. Despite this, experts emphasize the importance of continuing epidemiological surveillance, especially in regions where zoonotic coronaviruses are more prevalent.
The European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS), cited by the ECDC, is a key tool that provides weekly data on the circulation of respiratory viruses in Europe, including SARS-CoV-2 variants, seasonal influenza cases and other emerging viruses.
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