New Bat Coronavirus Found in Wuhan Lab

The News

Chinese virologists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) have identified a novel bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, capable of infecting human cells using the same ACE2 receptor as SARS-CoV-2.

Published in Cell on February 21, 2025, the discovery reignites debates about zoonotic risks and lab safety, given the WIV’s controversial role in COVID-19 origin theories.

While the virus shows weaker human infectivity than SARS-CoV-2, its ability to bind ACE2 and infect lab-grown human organ models raises alarms about future spillover potential.

Timeline

2012: Mysterious Illness in Mojiang Mine

• In April 2012, six miners in Mojiang (Yunnan Province, China) fell gravely ill with severe pneumonia-like symptoms after clearing bat droppings in an abandoned copper mine.

• Three eventually died, spurring initial speculation about a virus transmitted from bats.

• Chinese scientists began investigating but did not publicly confirm the exact cause of the miners’ illness.

2013: WIV Identifies RaTG13

• The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) launched a research effort to collect bat samples from the Mojiang mine, aiming to track coronaviruses potentially linked to the miners’ disease.

• They discovered a bat coronavirus named RaTG13 in horseshoe bats, noting its similarity to SARS-like viruses.

• Though partially sequenced then, RaTG13’s full relevance would only emerge several years later.

2017: Revelation of 11 New SARS-Like Viruses

• By late 2017, WIV virologist Dr. Shi Zhengli and her team published findings on a broader survey of bat caves in Yunnan.

• They described 11 newly identified SARS-related coronaviruses capable of using the ACE2 receptor, raising alarms over zoonotic spillover risks.

• This work underscored China’s expanding search for bat viruses after repeated warnings about future outbreaks.

December 2019: Pneumonia Outbreak in Wuhan

• A cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown origin appeared in Wuhan, linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.

• Local health authorities raised the alarm, prompting diagnostic testing that soon identified a novel coronavirus.

• Officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) at the end of December, marking the virus’s first official report beyond China.

January 2020: Global Recognition of SARS-CoV-2

• Chinese scientists released the virus’s genetic sequence on January 12, 2020, revealing it to be a betacoronavirus closely related to bat coronaviruses.

• It was tentatively named 2019-nCoV, later designated SARS-CoV-2.

• Within weeks, Wuhan faced lockdowns, and global concern mounted as COVID-19 began spreading internationally.

February 2021: WHO Investigates Wuhan

• A WHO-led international team arrived in Wuhan to examine the origins of the pandemic, including a visit to the WIV.

• Their March 2021 report classified a lab incident as “extremely unlikely,” favoring a natural spillover.

• Nevertheless, calls for deeper transparency and data-sharing persisted, with critics wanting more comprehensive reviews of the lab’s records.

August 2022: NIH Halts Wuhan Lab Funding

• Citing incomplete data disclosures, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) cut grant funding to the WIV.

• The issue revolved around gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses, which faced increased scrutiny amid the pandemic.

• This termination strained U.S.-China scientific collaborations and intensified debates over biosafety protocols.

February 2023: Renewed Lab Leak Debate

• Public commentary on a potential “lab leak” resurfaced when the FBI director Christopher Wray stated COVID-19 “most likely” emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan.

• China’s government rejected the claim, maintaining that zoonotic transmission remained the strongest hypothesis.

February 2025: Discovery of HKU5-CoV-2

• Researchers at WIV, led by Dr. Shi Zhengli, announced the identification of a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2.

• Their study revealed it could bind to human ACE2 receptors, though it appeared far less capable of infecting humans than SARS-CoV-2.

• Health authorities and scientists worldwide stressed vigilance but noted no evidence of human transmission, underscoring ongoing efforts to detect and contain potential coronavirus threats.

Reactions

Shi Zhengli (WIV Virologist): “This discovery underscores the need for proactive surveillance, not panic. HKU5-CoV-2 is far less adapted to humans than SARS-CoV-2” .

Dr. Michael Osterholm (University of Minnesota): “Reaction is overblown. Population immunity to coronaviruses reduces pandemic risks”.

World Health Organization states the agency is “working closely with Chinese counterparts to evaluate the virus’s potential threat” and recommends transparency in data sharing.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases acknowledges “the possibility of new coronaviruses emerging” and reaffirms the global need for broad-spectrum vaccines.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) renews calls to investigate WIV’s role in coronavirus research.

What’s Next

Global health agencies may ramp up bat coronavirus monitoring.

Scientists explore pan-coronavirus vaccines targeting ACE2-binding viruses.