Abstract

Knowledge of the origin and reservoir of the coronavirus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still fragmentary. To date, the closest relatives to SARS-CoV-2 have been detected in Rhinolophus bats sampled in the Yunnan province, China. Here we describe the identification of SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses in two Rhinolophus shameli bats sampled in Cambodia in 2010. Metagenomic sequencing identifies nearly identical viruses sharing 92.6% nucleotide identity with SARS-CoV-2. Most genomic regions are closely related to SARS-CoV-2, with the exception of a region of the spike, which is not compatible with human ACE2-mediated entry. The discovery of these viruses in a bat species not found in China indicates that SARS-CoV-2 related viruses have a much wider geographic distribution than previously reported, and suggests that Southeast Asia represents a key area to consider for future surveillance for coronaviruses.

 

Introduction

Over a year has passed since the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)¹, responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, information on the origin, reservoir, diversity, and extent of circulation of ancestors to SARS-CoV-2 remains scarce. Horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus) are believed to be the main natural reservoir of SARS-related coronaviruses also named Sarbecoviruses². Indeed, a high diversity of coronavirus species have been found in Rhinolophus bats collected in several provinces of China³. To date, the closest relatives to SARS-CoV-2 were identified from horseshoe bats sampled in the Yunnan province, southern China^1,4,5. RaTG13 was sequenced from a Rhinolophus affinis bat in 2013, RmYN02 from a Rhinolophus malayanus bat in 2019, and RpYN06 from a Rhinolophus pusillus in 2020.

 

 

 

read more https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-26809-4

 

They recently found 2 Corona viruses in bats in Laos that are already suited to human transmission (have the  ACE2-mediated entry spike). Meaning that corona viruses transmissable to humans already exist in bats in nature without needing an interim host...contrary to initial assumptions.