Covid-Khosta-2 Variant Of Coronavirus Can Make Humans Its Prey

Researchers have found a new coronavirus in bats - similar to the SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid - that could potentially infect humans. The virus, called Khosta-2, could also evade the immunity provided by Covid vaccines, Time reported quoting an article in the journal PLoS Pathogens.The virus was initially discovered in bats in Russia two years ago and thought to be harmless to people, but a closer scrutiny recently in labs showed it could infect human beings.The study says that unlike the SARS-CoV-2, this virus lacks the genes that can cause serious disease in humans. But it could if it circulates wider and gets mixed with genes of SARS-CoV-2.Like the virus that causes Covid, Khosta-2 binds to the ACE2 protein to get an entry to into human cells, which is the first step in infecting human beings.The study by scientists led by Michael Letko of the Washington State University also showed that the virus was not neutralise by human antibodies produced either due to Covid vaccines or due to an infection with Omicron.That means neither Covid vaccines nor prior infection from Covid infection would provide humans any immunity protection from Khosta -2. apable of penetrating the vaccine This virus is also believed to be able to dodge the vaccine, on which the scientist says that in a recent study, it has been found that the spike RBD containing coronavirus from Khosta virus was found to eliminate the effect of the vaccine. Is. This effect has been seen in both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He informed that India is fully prepared to deal with any such viral pathogens. National Institute of Virology, being the apex virology institute of the country, has multiple virus research and diagnostic labs, which is capable of handling any emergency related to the emergence of such viral pathogens in India. We also fought strongly against Zika, Nipah, Monkeypox virus and Covid pandemic in the past. How does one infect It has been observed that both Khosta-2 and Coronavirus are two strains of the same virus called Cerbicovirus. Like Kovid, Khosta-2 also uses the spike protein to infect human cells and enter the body.