Overview
- Researchers from multiple universities reported in Cell that surveillance in Thailand found a new cluster of bat coronaviruses in the sarbecovirus group.
- Lab tests showed one lineage could latch onto the human ACE2 receptor under specific experimental conditions.
- Thai health authorities confirmed detections in bats and said the present risk to people is low.
- There is no evidence of infections or transmission in humans at this time.
- The team cautioned that co-circulating bat viruses can recombine and change which receptors they use, and they urged follow-up lab work and field surveillance.