Scientists discovered a bat that was infected with a virus similar to COVID-19 in Russia. It has been studied by researchers at Washington State University.
PULLMAN, Wash. — Researchers at Washington State University Concerns have been raised about the discovery of a virus that shares some characteristics with COVID-19. They also hope that this discovery will result in more vaccine prevention.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused a huge amount of destruction, resulting in more than 6.5 millions deaths and counting around the world. Although the pandemic continues, it has been slowed.
Researchers continue to learn more about COVID-19. Researchers are focusing on the discovery and study of similar viruses in Asia and elsewhere.
The good news, according to WSU virologist and assistant professor Michael Letko: “Most of the viruses found outside of Asia don’t have the ability to use the human receptors or use the human cells.”
Letko stated that this does not mean humans are currently at risk from them. However, Letko and his collaborators have examined two viruses in Russian bats. One of these does raise concerns. The researcher said this virus has some of the same properties as COVID-19 and can infect human cells — and it has proven to be resistant to current COVID-19 vaccines. This is however not conclusive.
“So we’re not necessarily worried about this virus transmitting over to people. There are so many factors — we don’t know particularly know what kind of animals these bats are in contact with (or) how prevalent this type of virus is in these animals,” said Letko.
Letko is adamant that it is vital that researchers continue to study to develop new tools to prevent future problems.
“The big take home is we know these viruses now exist and we can now use this information to try to make vaccines, and actually there are already groups working to include viruses like this in the vaccines.”
You can find the Letko study and other research in the journal PLOS PATHOGENS.
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