Chinese researchers have identified a new type of coronavirus in bats, named HKU5-CoV-2. It is similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, and has the potential to infect humans. The research was led by virologist Shi Zhengli, known as "Batwoman" for her studies on bat viruses.

Details of this discovery were published in the Cell journal. Researchers stated that the virus belongs to the Merbecovirus subcategory and contains elements of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus. It was first detected in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong and is part of the HKU5 coronavirus lineage.

Scientists have warned that this virus poses a risk of human infection, either directly or through other animals. However, they also clarified that its impact is expected to be lower than SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic.