New Bat Virus Similar to COVID Found in China

    Chinese researchers, led by virologist Shi Zhengli, have
identified a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2. This virus belongs
to the Merbecovirus subgenus and was initially detected in Japanese
pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong.[1][2][3]

    The newly discovered virus uses the same human receptor (ACE2) as
SARS-CoV-2 to enter cells, and laboratory experiments have shown it
can infect human cells with high ACE2 levels in test tubes and models
of human intestines and airways.[4][5]

    The study found that HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to ACE2 receptors in
multiple species, increasing its potential for cross-species
transmission, though its binding efficiency is significantly lower
than that of SARS-CoV-2.[6][7]

The research team identified antibodies and antiviral drugs that can
target the bat virus. However, it added that the virus' transmission
efficiency is considerably weaker than COVID.[4][5]

https://www.improvethenews.org/story/2025/new-bat-virus-similar-to-covid-found-in-china