Already dreaming about the journey from Pandemic To Endemic? Maybe you need to break that bubble. As Wuhan has surprised us with another complicated virus right at the start of 2022. We are talking about the NeoCov. Supposedly a highly infectious and potentially deadly variant of coronavirus. WHO is yet to determine how hazardous this new Variant, NeoCov is to people.
NeoCov comes from Middle East respiratory disease. Also known as MERS-coronavirus, according to experts. The virus was found in a South African bat population and is presently propagating solely among animals the researchers claimed. Additional to that only one mutation is necessary for the virus to invade human cells.
Statement By World Health Organization
WHO informed about further research requirements to determine if the virus poses a risk to humans.
“More than 75 per cent of all new infectious illnesses in humans come from wild animals. Many of these diseases are due to novel viruses. Coronaviruses may be found in a wide range of mammals, including bats. This has been recognised as a natural reservoir for several of these viruses “.
MERS-Cov Virus
In terms of symptoms, the MERS-CoV virus is comparable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The illness was initially discovered in Saudi Arabia in 2012. And it was spread throughout the Middle East between 2012 and 2015.
These infections occur due to Human-to-human contact. MERS-CoV has claimed the lives of many individuals.
Also Read: New Covid-19 Variant IHU Detected In France; More Infectious Than Omicron
Can Covid Vaccine treat NeoCov?
Antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-CoV could not cross-neutralize NeoCov infection. “Given the significant alterations in the RBD areas of the SARS-CoV-2 variations, particularly the severely mutated Omicron variant. These viruses may harbour a latent potential to infect people through further adaptation.”