Coronaviruses Closely Linked to SARS-CoV-2 Found in Lab Freezers

Coronaviruses responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was found in bats stored in lab freezers in Cambodia and Japan, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal Nature.

The virus in Cambodia was found in two Shamel's horseshoe bats stored in a freezer, which were obtained in the north of the country in 2010.

‘Bats are the most likely hosts of the novel coronavirus.’

Meanwhile, a research team in Japan found another closely associated coronavirus in frozen bat droppings, the study revealed.

"The viruses are the first discovered relatives of SARS-CoV-2 to be found outside China," stated the study, noting that the novel findings support the World Health Organisation's search across Asia to examine the animal origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But whether the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 passed straight from bats to people or through an intermediate host remains unknown, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Both discoveries are interesting because they confirm that viruses closely linked to SARS-CoV-2 are relatively common in Rhinolophus bats, and even in bats found outside China," stated Alice Latinne, an evolutionary biologist.

Aaron Irving, an infectious-diseases expert, who also plans to test stored samples of bats and other mammals, stated the findings suggest that other "as-yet-undiscovered SARS-CoV-2 relatives" could be stored in lab freezers.

Source: Medindia