A new coronavirus has been discovered in China that could cause a pandemic.

American scientists have discovered a new variant of the coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2 in China, which is 'one step' away from a dangerous mutation capable of leading to a new pandemic. This information was published in The Independent, referencing researchers' studies.

It turns out that the new HKU5-CoV-2 variant can infect a broader range of animals than COVID-19 and has a greater potential for cross-species transmission. Researchers from Washington State University found that a small change in the virus's spike protein could enable it to attach to human ACE2 cells in the throat, mouth, and nose.

'HKU5 has not been studied for a long Time, but our data shows that the virus is just one step away from being able to penetrate the human body,' said Professor Michael Letko.

Currently, the new virus type does not have such capabilities, but can already successfully infect bat cells. In the case of a 'successful' mutation, HKU5 could replicate in human cells in both the respiratory tract and the intestines.

There is currently no data on the spread of the new virus among humans. However, scientists urge careful monitoring of it, particularly in regions of China with active wildlife trade, which may facilitate the transmission of the virus to humans. This discovery underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance of viral mutations and preparedness for potential future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Scientists have discovered a new variant of the coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2 in China that has the potential to spill over to humans and could cause a new pandemic. The study showed that this virus is dangerous and requires attention to avoid potential threats to public health.

A new study by American scientists has confirmed the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus HKU-5 in China, which has a significant potential for transmission to humans, potentially leading to a new pandemic. Scientists should carefully study this virus and monitor its spread among animals and possible contact with humans to prevent a large-scale outbreak among the population.