A new coronavirus, similar to COVID-19, has been detected in bats in China. This was reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on February 21.

According to the publication, the virus belongs to a new lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus. It was identified in Hong Kong in a species of bat known as the Japanese pipistrelle. Researchers note that initial findings suggest the virus could be infectious to humans.

“Bat merbecoviruses pose a high risk of spreading to humans, either through direct transmission or via intermediate hosts,” the article states.

Experts emphasize that, at present, the virus is not considered to be actively spreading. However, they stress the need for “more thorough research.”

Earlier, on January 25, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assessed the origins of COVID-19 and concluded that the virus was likely created in a laboratory rather than occurring naturally. However, the report also noted that the agency lacks sufficient certainty in this assessment, and both the laboratory and natural origin theories remain plausible.