Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, widely known as "Batwoman" for her work on viruses originating from animals, has issued a concerning warning regarding the potential emergence of another COVID-19-like virus in the future, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. In a paper co-authored with colleagues, Shi draws upon her expertise to caution that it is highly likely another coronavirus could surface.
Coronaviruses have previously triggered significant outbreaks, including the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2019.
The research conducted by the team at the Wuhan Institute of Virology evaluated 40 different coronavirus species to assess their potential for spillover into human populations.
Shi's findings are concerning, indicating that six types of viruses, with half of them having previously caused deadly diseases in humans, are categorized as high-risk. The remaining three have infected other animal species. The research also predicts a high likelihood of another coronavirus-related outbreak in the future.
The study took various factors into account, such as viral characteristics, population dynamics, genetic diversity, host species, and the history of zoonotic transmission.
It's worth noting that some US politicians have voiced suspicions regarding the origins of COVID-19, with claims of a potential lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. However, this theory remains unproven, and many scientists lean toward the belief that the virus likely originated in animals, possibly bats, before jumping to humans via an intermediary host.
Declassified US intelligence documents released in June did not provide conclusive evidence for the lab leak theory but did not definitively rule it out either.
Additionally, there have been reports of a noticeable shift in China's handling of COVID-19, with some cities discontinuing the release of infection data. This has raised concerns about changing public health priorities in China.
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