2023-09-26 10:16:45
China Warns the World of 20 New Strains of Coronavirus from Bats, Says Genome Center
September 25, 2023
In a recent post on the Center for Medical Genomics’ Facebook page, the Genome Center at Ramathibodi Hospital has revealed that China has issued a warning to the world to be prepared for 20 new strains of coronavirus originating from bats. The research, which was published in the medical journal Emerging Microbes & Infections in June 2023, has garnered attention from the Chinese media in September 2023.
Dr. Qi Chengli, Director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, fondly known as “bat woman” and “virus hunter” for her research on SARS-CoV-1, has emphasized the high risk of these new strains crossing over from bats to humans. This is not the first time Dr. Qi Chengli’s work on the origin of coronaviruses has attracted scrutiny. During the COVID-19 outbreak, her laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology was closely monitored, although she has denied any connection between her lab and the 2019 coronavirus.
Dr. Qi Chengli and her team have identified more than 20 different strains of coronavirus, raising concerns about future outbreaks. Given that previous outbreaks, such as SARS and COVID-19, originated from animal-to-human transmission, there is a high possibility that these new strains could cause another outbreak in the future. Experts have likened Dr. Qi Chengli’s research to creating a “dictionary of coronaviruses” that will aid in predicting and preventing future outbreaks.
The impact of Dr. Qi Chengli’s research cannot be underestimated. It highlights the ongoing threat of bat-borne coronaviruses, emphasizes the need for additional research to identify high-risk viruses, and warns public health administrators worldwide to prepare for future outbreaks. By decoding the entire genome of coronaviruses isolated from animals, Dr. Qi Chengli and her team’s research will greatly contribute to predicting and preventing future epidemics.
This research is crucial as it sheds light on the ongoing threat of coronavirus transmission from animals to humans, particularly from bats. It provides the foundation for forecasting and preparing for future outbreaks and identifying bat coronaviruses similar to previous outbreaks, such as SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, this research allows for the early detection of new viruses by tracking samples from bat populations.
In conclusion, Dr. Qi Chengli’s groundbreaking work on bat coronaviruses plays a pivotal role in predicting and responding to future coronavirus pandemics. Her findings emphasize the need for global surveillance and preparedness in health systems. Dr. Qi Zhengli’s “Coronavirus Dictionary” is expected to be invaluable in addressing the threat posed by zoonotic coronaviruses in the 21st century.
To identify these high-risk coronavirus strains from bats, Dr. Qi Chengli and her team collected samples from bat populations throughout China and performed PCR tests to detect the genetic material of the virus. The positive samples were then used to decode the entire genome and analyze the similarities and differences with COVID-19 spikes. The team also evaluated the ability of the virus to bind to the ACE2 receptor on the surface of human cells, which is crucial for infection.
It is imperative that governments invest in preparing and dealing with future waves of the novel coronavirus. Without comprehensive monitoring and planning, the current epidemic may continue to persist, resulting in loss of lives and further instability for societies and economies already affected by COVID-19. The lessons learned from the past four years must guide us in preparing for the next wave of the novel coronavirus.
The information in this article has been sourced from the Center for Medical Genomics’ Facebook page.]
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