Chinese Virologist Warns of Future COVID Outbreaks
Written by Susi, Arushi Sharma
A Chinese virologist's recent warning about potential future COVID-19 outbreaks underscores the need for continued vigilance and preparedness on a global scale.
Shi Zhengli, a Chinese virologist known as 'batwoman,' warns that a new COVID outbreak similar to the recent pandemic is "highly likely."
Her study, conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, assessed the risk of human spillover from 40 coronavirus species.
It was published in Emerging Microbes and Infections in July and identified 20 'highly risky' coronavirus species.
“If a coronavirus caused diseases to emerge before, there is a high chance it will cause future outbreaks,” she was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Six of the 40 species are confirmed human pathogens, and three are suspected of causing diseases or infecting other animals.
“It is almost certain that there will be future disease emergence and it is highly likely a (coronavirus) disease again,” the study warned.
The study, as per SCMP, analyzed viral traits like population, genetic diversity, host species, and zoonotic potential.
Shi and her team identified natural hosts (bats, rodents) and possible intermediate hosts (camels, civets, pigs, pangolins).
Kate Bingham’s book warns of a future pandemic from unknown viruses, potentially killing 50 million people, emphasizing the risk of viral evolution and interspecies transmission.