A team of scientists has discovered a new strain of coronavirus, similar to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, in the droppings of bats living in a cave.
According to RT (Russia), researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered the pathogen in the feces of little horseshoe bats, in the wilds of Japan 7 years ago. A new study has found that this virus strain is very similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
The new coronavirus strain was found in the droppings of bats living in a cave in Japan. (Photo: Reuters)
The genetic structure of the new virus is 81.5% similar to the SARS-CoV-2 virus . Experts say this is the first time a pathogen similar to the one causing the current pandemic has been found in Japan.
Coronaviruses that jump from animals to humans are responsible for a range of diseases, including Covid-19, SARS, MERS and some common colds. However, scientists say the new virus does not infect humans, although more research is needed.
'Only a small amount of the coronavirus is dangerous, but it is undeniable that there are species that infect humans in Japan. We will study wild animals and urgently investigate the actual situation. We need to clarify this ,' Associate Professor Shin Murakami explained.
This is not the first time a coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2 has been found. According to official statistics, disease-hunting scientists in China have discovered a coronavirus that has a 95% genetic match with the strain that has caused over 1.2 million deaths worldwide, according to official statistics.
