New Delhi / Washington, June 6, 2025 – Just as parts of Southeast Asia begin reporting a fresh rise in COVID-19 cases, scientists have raised a red flag over a newly identified virus strain that could potentially spark another global health crisis. Known as HKU5-CoV-2, the variant has been discovered in bats in China and is believed to be only a minor mutation away from infecting humans.
The virus, which shares genetic similarities with the deadly MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), has caught the attention of researchers in the United States, who warn that it poses a credible pandemic risk if not closely monitored.
A Dangerous Discovery
The HKU5 family of coronaviruses was first detected during research in 2020 amid the original COVID-19 pandemic. The variant HKU5-CoV-2 was found in bat samples during a study at a Chinese laboratory. A recent collaborative study led by Professor Michael Letko at Washington State University has revealed that the virus can interact with human cells under certain conditions — specifically when its spike protein undergoes small mutations.
“Our study shows that HKU5-CoV-2 has the potential to infect human ACE2 cells, which are the same receptors used by COVID-19 to invade the body,” said Prof. Letko in a statement. “While it doesn’t currently infect humans easily, it’s just one or two small mutations away from making that leap.”
Echoes of MERS Raise Alarms
What makes HKU5-CoV-2 especially concerning is its genetic link to MERS-CoV, a virus known for its high fatality rate — estimated to kill nearly 30% of those it infects. While MERS never reached the global scale of COVID-19, its impact in the Middle East and parts of Asia was devastating.
Similar to MERS and COVID-19, HKU5-CoV-2 appears to target the respiratory system. Although there are no recorded human cases yet, scientists suspect that if the virus mutates further, it could cause symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Body aches
These are early assumptions based on its viral lineage, and definitive symptoms remain unknown unless the virus crosses over to humans.
A Virus in Waiting?
So far, HKU5-CoV-2 has only been observed in bats, and when studied using “pseudo-viruses” — lab-created replicas for safe testing — it showed limited interaction with human cells. However, when minor genetic edits were made to the virus’s spike protein, it began binding to ACE2 receptors more effectively.
One of the major risks scientists highlight is the potential for the virus to mutate in an intermediate animal host, just as COVID-19 likely did. If that happens in humid, densely populated environments, it could trigger zoonotic transmission — where a virus jumps from animals to humans.
“The real concern isn’t where the virus is today, but where it could go,” warned an American virologist associated with the study. “Wet and humid conditions serve as fertile ground for the virus to mutate and expand.”
The Urgent Need for Vigilance
Experts are urging health authorities across the globe to monitor this emerging threat closely, even though it hasn’t yet spilled over into human populations. This comes as countries like Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and India are already witnessing a new spike in COVID-19 cases, adding urgency to global pandemic preparedness efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet issued an official statement on HKU5-CoV-2, but sources within the scientific community suggest that risk assessment and surveillance are already underway.
What Should the Public Know?
At this point, there’s no reason to panic — but there is every reason to stay informed. HKU5-CoV-2 is not a current threat, but it holds the potential to become one. Much like the early days of COVID-19, the virus exists in nature, and the challenge is preventing it from finding a path to humans.
Health experts recommend that authorities:
- Increase surveillance in wet markets and animal farms
- Monitor bat populations and potential intermediate hosts
- Invest in preemptive vaccine and antiviral research
- Continue promoting hygiene and respiratory health awareness
While the world continues to heal from the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-lasting effects, HKU5-CoV-2 serves as a sobering reminder that nature’s viral arsenal is vast — and evolving. Scientists and global health bodies must remain one step ahead.
For now, this new variant is confined to labs and bat populations. But with a small mutation, it could turn into the next big challenge. The clock is ticking, and preparedness could make all the difference.
