However, a bat? Scientists have found novel coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2 in flying mammals

Chinese researchers announced on Thursday that they had found new coronaviruses in bats, CNN reports. Among them, there are also those that genetically resemble SARS-CoV-2. The study is to prove that bats transmit many coronaviruses, and some of them can potentially also spread to humans.

1. The coronavirus pandemic began in late 2019 in Wuhan, China
2. So far, it has not been possible to establish where COVID-19 came from. The most likely theory was that the virus came from a bat
3. More recently, Joe Biden called for a thorough investigation of the true origins of the pandemic. The scenario that SARS-CoV-2 got out of a Chinese laboratory has begun to be considered seriously
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

Chinese scientists have found new coronaviruses in bats

According to Chinese scientists, based on the analysis of feces, urine and swabs of bats from a small region in Yunnan province, they were able to isolate new coronaviruses. Research materials were collected between May 2019 and November 2020.

In total, we collected 24 genomes of novel coronaviruses from various bat species, including four coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2, the researchers wrote in their report.

1. Check also: Indian mutation in Sweden. Anders Tegnell comments on the situation

One of them, RpYN06, was genetically very similar to the virus that caused the human pandemic. Apart from genetic changes in the spike protein, it is most closely related to SARS-CoV-2. The virus is carried by bats from the horseshoe bat family.

– Together with the SARS-CoV-2-like virus obtained in Thailand in June 2020, the results clearly show that viruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 continue to circulate in bat populations and may appear at a relatively high frequency in some regions – Chinese researchers added.

Have you been infected with COVID-19 and are worried about the side effects? Check your health by performing a comprehensive test package for convalescents.

Controversies over the origins of the pandemic. WHO talks about bats

Scientists are constantly trying to find out where COVID-19, which has been infecting people around the world since December 2019, came from. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) have determined that bats may be the likely source of the new coronavirus.

Chinese scientists also confirm this theory, noting that the bat organism is a well-known reservoir for various types of viruses. Also those that can be potentially dangerous to people. Bats are connected, among others, by with the Ebola virus.

– Besides the path from bats to humans, coronaviruses can infect many domestic and wild animals, including pigs, cattle, mice, cats, dogs, chickens, deer and hedgehogs, Chinese scientists explain.

1. The editorial board recommends: Italy: 18-year-old girl died vaccinated with AstraZeneca

The transmission of the coronavirus from bats to humans was supposed to take place, for example, at a market in Wuhan, where animals are sold – alive or dead, including bats.

Despite this, the topic of a possible virus leak from the Wuhan lab has recently reappeared. The hypothesis that someone inadvertently or intentionally released SARS-CoV-2 from a modern facility for many months was treated as merely a conspiracy theory. Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, US President Joe Biden demanded an explanation from the Chinese authorities on this matter.

“I have now asked the Intelligence Community to redouble its efforts to gather and analyze information that might bring us closer to the final conclusion, and to report back to me within 90 days. As part of this report, I asked to identify areas for further research that may be needed, including specific questions about China. I also requested that these efforts include the work of our national laboratories and other government agencies to support the Intelligence Community. I have also asked the Intelligence Community to keep Congress fully informed of its activities, ”says Joe Biden in a statement.

The president also announced that the United States will “continue to work with like-minded partners around the world to pressure China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to ensure access to all relevant data and evidence.”

Also read:

1. Indian mutation in Sweden. Anders Tegnell comments on the situation
2. Italy: An 18-year-old girl died of AstraZeneca vaccine
3. How many variants of the coronavirus are currently in Poland? The Ministry of Health has released updated data
4. Fourth wave in autumn? Expert: We are at the beginning of the end of the pandemic

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.