WHO: the danger of coronavirus from South Africa NeoCov will show new research
Photo: Kirill Braga / Reuters
The probability that the new NeoCov coronavirus discovered in South Africa will spread in the human population and threaten it is still difficult to estimate. Nevertheless, 75 percent of viral diseases that humans suffer from originate from animals, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a conversation with
“Coronavirus infections are often found in animals, including bats — their natural carriers. However, only new studies will show whether the new strain is dangerous for humans,” the organization explained.
This is how experts evaluated reports that scientists from China have discovered a new coronavirus of bats NeoCov. They have already found out that it is related to the causative agent of MERS Middle East fever and is able to penetrate cells in approximately the same way as SARS-CoV-2.
At the same time, NeoCov is not affected by either antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 or protein molecules that suppress MERS, which makes it especially dangerous if it enters the human population. Experts noted that there is such a risk, but explained that for this the virus needs to mutate. According to their data, now it threatens only bats. The scientists added that their study has the status of a reprint, that is, the work will be checked by experts in the future.
