According to a study by Chinese researchers, NeoCov, a new coronavirus variant that spread among bats in South Africa could now pose a threat to humans in the future. A recent study posted on the preprint repository BioRxiv suggests that NeoCov is similar to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral disease that was first detected in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that more studies are needed to determine the danger of NeoCov for humans.
What do doctors say about NeoCov?
What is NeoCov?
NeoCov is not SARS-CoV-2, but is related to the MERS coronavirus (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus), a zoonotic virus, which means it is transmitted between animals and people.
PD “The NeoCov virus is like the MERS virus, which is also a coronavirus, but different from the COVID-19 virus,” said Bharesh Dedhia, Consultant, Critical Care, Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre.
Will NeoCov affect humans?
Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, Infectious Diseases Consultant at Global Hospital Parel Mumbai said, “NeoCov has been observed only in bats and has been there for some time. There is no data to suggest that it also spreads to humans or it Whether or not to be concerned. As of now, whatever the studies say, the outbreak is unlikely.”
It has only been reported in bats and has not yet been observed in humans. “Whether the virus will pose a risk to humans and how contagious or dangerous it is will require further study,” said Dr. Tripti Gilda, infectious disease consultant at Masina Hospital.
Should we worry?
We should worry about any new variants that might emerge, but there is nothing to worry about right now. Even MERS, which infected people, ended in 2013 and did not cause widespread infections or large numbers of deaths.
PD Bharesh Dedhia, Consultant, Critical Care, Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Center said, “Even NeoCov has not infected any human being. So, I do not believe that there is any reason to worry or panic right now. We have to keep our guard, wear masks and take care of all the routine things that we have followed so far, including social distancing and avoiding large crowds etc.
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