In September of 2022, a new Covid-like virus was found in Russia, known as Khosta-2. Much like COVID-19, this new virus is found in bats, meaning if the human population were to cross-species with the animal, it would result in another outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndromes. Furthermore, if Khosta-2 were to spillover, it would be resistant to current vaccines. Although the new virus does not necessarily mean another pandemic will occur, scientists are raising concern for it.
COVID-19:
The first case of COVID-19 was reported in December of 2019 and it was caused by the then-new coronavirus, scientifically known as SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a family of diseases that are often found (but don’t affect) animals, such as bats. However these viruses can transfer from one species to another, mutating as they go. For the human population, SARS-CoV-2 is thought to have originated from a food market that sold fish, meat, and live animals. Coronavirus gets its name from the crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. COVID-19 is a part of the subcategory of coronaviruses, called sarbecoviruses. This specific sarbecovirus attaches to protein receptors, allowing it to be able to directly enter cells and begin spreading through the body more quickly. As there was no vaccine and nobody was immune to the virus in the beginning, the pandemic was able to claim more lives than thought possible. Fortunately, there are many vaccines available now and it is not as much of a worry.
Khosta-2:
Although hundreds of sarbecoviruses have been discovered in recent years, a majority are thought to be unable to infect human cells. However, upon further investigation, scientists found that new viruses discovered in Russian bats were able to infect humans. Similarly to SARS-CoV-2, Khosta-2 is able to use its spike protein to infect cells by latching onto the protein receptor. Furthermore, if this new virus co-infects a host with another coronavirus, there’s a chance an entirely new variant could be created. Scientists have tested current vaccines on Khosta-2, but found the antibodies to be ineffective. For this reason, they have been working to develop antibodies that do not just protect against the next variant of SARS-CoV-2 but also against sarbecoviruses in general.
Khosta-2 is a new sarbecovirus found in Russian bats. It is not a big concern right now because it has not been transmitted to the human population. However, if it does cross species, it may cause another pandemic– prompting scientists to find new vaccines and ways to prevent that from happening.
Sources:
“Newly Discovered COVID-like Virus Could Infect Humans, Resist Vaccines.” ScienceDaily, 23 Sept. 2022, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220923090859.htm.
Seifert, Stephanie. “An ACE2-Dependent Sarbecovirus in Russian Bats Is Resistant to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines.” PLOS Pathogens, 22 Sept. 2022, https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1010828.
“Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 14 Sept. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963.
Cdc. “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Feb. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-classifications.html.
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