Epidemiologists have found a virus similar to the one that caused SARS in 2002. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A virus called WIV1-CoV is able to bind to the same receptors as the SARS virus that caused SARS. Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill say the new virus found in bats reproduces well in artificial tissues of the human respiratory tract, which means it could theoretically infect many people.
“To be honest, this virus may never reach humans, but if it does, WIV1-CoV could well start a new epidemic with serious consequences for human health and the global economy,” says Vinet Menakeri, study leader.
The antibodies previously used against SARS have been shown to be effective against the new virus as well. However, existing vaccines will not help prevent WIV1-CoV due to small differences in the structure of coronaviruses.
The first cases of infection with the SARS virus appeared in China, the virus has infected about 8 thousand people since 2002, of which about 800 have died. The virus was carried by airborne droplets. It affected the lungs of a person, causing lung failure, and weakened the immune system.
