Scientists from the UK and Kenya have identified a new bat coronavirus capable of binding to human cells. The study, published in Nature, highlights risks in Kenya, northern Tanzania, and eastern Sudan. No evidence of human infection has been found yet.
Researchers from the UK's Pirbright Institute and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) examined coronaviruses in East African wildlife. Their study identified the virus CcCoV-KY43 in heart-nosed bats in Kenya, northern Tanzania, and eastern Sudan.
Lab tests showed the virus can bind to receptors on human lung cells, a crucial step for infection. Dr James Nyagwange of KEMRI contributed to the research.
Dr Dalan Bailey of the Pirbright Institute stated, “Before our study, it was assumed most alphacoronaviruses used just one or two possible receptors. We now know they might use a whole variety of additional receptors to get into cells.” Professor Stephen Graham of the University of Cambridge added, “Now that we're aware there is a potential risk, a risk that has always existed, we can start to prepare for it.”
The team used only viral spike proteins, not the full virus, to minimize lab risks. There is no evidence of human infections, and tests in Kenya and the region show no spillover has occurred.
