How dangerous can be the Neo-Cov?

Amid the surge of coronavirus in the different parts of the world, Wuhanan scientists are once again in the news who has claimed to found a new virus- NeoCov in bats from South Africa. It is not any variant or SARs-CoV-2, instead it is associated with MERS coronavirus. A chinese researcher has written about the new coronavirus in his research paper that is yet to be peer revied. Researchers have said the virus contain higher transmission and death rate which could kill 1 in 3 infected people.

What is MERS- Coronavirus?
MERS Coronavirus is Middles East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus. This virus was initially found in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is  recognised as zoonotic virus to determine that it is transmitted between animals and people but most of the human cases of MERS-CoV infections spread through human to human infections. Data from WHO says almost 35% of people infected with MERS-CoV have died.

Some of the main symptoms of MERS are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia, gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, are also reported as symptoms, but not very common. Most of the human cases of MERS-CoV infections spread through human to human infections.

WHO told Russian news agency Tass, "Whether the virus detected in the study will pose a risk for humans will require further study". WHO has also said, "Animals, particularly wild animals are the source of more than 75% of all emerging infectious diseases in humans, many of which are caused by novel viruses. Coronaviruses are often found in animals, including in bats which have been identified as a natural reservoir of many of these viruses, "Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron are the variants of concern as classified by the WHO."