Warning of the risk of outbreaks from new SARS-like viruses

Scientists have discovered a new virus, similar to the SARS virus, that can be transmitted directly from bats to humans without mutations. This is raising concerns about a new epidemic in the future.

Detecting viruses can spread from bats to humans without mutation

Experts warn, there is no way to treat a new virus called SHC014-CoV , which can spread from one species to another without this mutation. However, they concede, it is unclear whether the disease caused by this virus is capable of spreading from person to person.

Dr. Ralph Baric from the University of North Carolina (USA), who led the study, said: "Studies have surmised the existence of nearly 5,000 coronavirus types in bat colonies and some of them are potential. the possibility of becoming a pathogen for humans, so the problem here is not that there will be an outbreak caused by one of those coronaviruses, but when and how we can deal with it ".

The researchers say their findings are remarkable, as it highlights an ongoing debate about the US government's decision earlier this year to stop conducting all of the functional tests. Different selection objects. This move stalled the development of vaccines or treatments for pathogens that are at risk of outbreaks.

New virus identifies SARS, SHC014-CoV germs, can spread from one species to another without mutation.(Photo: Corbis).

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) first spread from animals to humans in 2002 - 2003, leading to a worldwide outbreak of the disease with about 8,000 diagnosed cases. Nearly 800 people were killed in the outbreak.

SARS-CoV virus - SARS-CoV - causes infected people to exhibit very flu-like symptoms, but can progress faster, impair breathing and lead to a deadly form of fatal pneumonia. Outbreaks have been controlled through initial public health and viral interventions that are thought to have become extinct since 2004.

Dr. Baric and colleagues discovered that the newly identified SARS, SHC014-CoV virus, can also spread different species from parasitic animals, Chinese horseshoe bats. The virus attaches to the same body receptor as the SARS virus, allowing it to infect humans.

In addition, the team found that the new virus also replicated like SARS-CoV in the most important human lung cells - the preferred target of infection.

Dr. Baric, an expert on coronavirus types, added: " The SHC014-CoV virus is highly pathogenic . Meanwhile, the drugs developed against SARS-CoV initially in 2002 as well as drugs. ZMapp used to treat Ebola virus can not disable and control it, therefore, building resources, instead of limiting them to jointly check animal groups in search of new risks and development therapies are the key to limiting future outbreaks. "