Discovery of a new coronavirus in Brazilian bats raises fears of a potential pandemic

Brasilia – Agencies

A joint team of American and Japanese researchers revealed a new coronavirus discovered in bats in northern Brazil, characterized by genetic features very similar to those of the «SARS-CoV-2» virus, which causes the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about the possibility of a new strain capable of transmitting to humans.

The study, which was initially published on the scientific site bioRxiv, stated that the new virus was named BRZ batCoV, and it belongs to the «Betacoronavirus» family, which also includes the SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) viruses.

Characteristics of the new virus

Genetic analyses showed that BRZ batCoV contains a «Furin Cleavage Site», which is the element that enables the virus to bind to human cells and enter them. The study explained that this site differs from its counterpart in the COVID-19 virus by only one amino acid, indicating a close evolutionary similarity between the two viruses.

Despite these concerning features, the researchers confirmed that no human infections with the virus have been recorded so far, emphasizing that the discovery «represents an early scientific warning» about the importance of monitoring zoonotic diseases before they transfer to humans.

Conditions of discovery and its implications

The virus was identified through the analysis of intestinal samples from a single bat of the species Pteronotus parnellii, a widely spread species in South America. Scientists believe that other bats may carry the same virus, but the size of the available samples so far does not allow for a definitive confirmation.

The research team pointed out that the results «highlight the vital role bats play as natural reservoirs for coronaviruses», adding that the discovery «provides a deeper understanding of the evolutionary potential and zoonotic risks of the BRZ batCoV virus».

Importance of the discovery

This is the first discovery of its kind in South America for a virus belonging to the Betacoronavirus family other than SARS-CoV-2, and it confirms – according to scientists – the necessity of enhancing global epidemiological surveillance to detect animal-origin viruses before they develop into epidemic threats.