3 ms·
Bat-infecting merbecovirus HKU5-CoV can use human ACE2 as a cell entry receptor
- nextos 2y agoA new risky gain-of-function experiment performed by the Wuhan Institute of Virology demonstrates infection and broad host tropism in humans using HKU5-CoV-2. This virus is closely related to the lethal MERS-CoV, responsible for the 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus outbreaks.
- blackeyeblitzar 2y agoWhy is the world continuing to allow gain of function at WIV? It really highlights China’s irresponsible approach, and makes it even more likely that COVID-19 started there.
- nextos 2y agoA comment in Nature is oddly ignoring the risks: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00503-7 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00503-7