New Coronavirus Raises Concerns, But No Immediate Threat

[webfact]

Dr. Opas. File photo

 

In recent days, reports have emerged from China regarding a novel virus within the coronavirus family, dubbed HKU5-CoV-2, found by researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Though capable of infiltrating human cells similar to the infamous SARS-CoV-2, no human cases have been recorded to date, according to Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, Thailand's permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health.

 

The discovery, occurring within the lab rather than the wild, might alarm many who remember the initial reports of COVID-19 from Wuhan in late 2019.

 

However, Dr Opas assures the public that the virus is currently not a cause for concern. HKU5-CoV-2 is categorised as part of the Merbecovirus subgenus, making it a relative, yet distinct, from the currently circulating strains such as the Omicron variant prevalent in Thailand.

 

Dr Opas emphasized that Thailand is part of a robust international network monitoring infectious diseases. This network keeps a close watch on any emerging virus strains, ensuring readiness to act against potential threats.

 

Despite the discovery, the protocol remains unchanged: maintain personal hygiene by frequent handwashing with soap, wearing masks if symptomatic, and avoiding crowded spaces.

While this newly identified virus raises the spectre of coronaviruses' notorious ability to mutate, there's no evidence indicating a present risk to humans. Dr Opas explains that viruses, particularly coronaviruses, are studied for potential mutations that might necessitate vaccine development.

 

Even so, the transfer of viruses from bats to humans is considered a low to moderate risk, largely because such viruses exist in minimal quantities within their natural bat hosts.

 

Dr Opas also underlines the importance of the continued exploration of viral strains, notably in bats, to preempt possible outbreaks. He assures citizens that the likelihood of a direct bat-to-human infection is slender due to limited human-bat interaction. Typically, intermediaries are needed for such transmissions, diminishing the immediate risk.

 

As researchers globally continue to study and monitor developments, precaution remains the best strategy. The Ministry's message is clear: stay informed, stay cautious, but don't panic. With Thailand's vigilant health infrastructure, the public remains well-protected against significant health threats, including any potential new coronavirus outbreaks, reporded Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-24

 

 

[MikeandDow]

If there's no evidence indicating a present risk to humans. Why bring this up !! Start a panic again

[ikke1959]

A new reason to keep masks on... The company will earn millions as so many people never stopped wearing a mask and now the Government start to promote again... It would be wiser to wear a helmet than a mask on a motorcycle, but that is too smart thinking of me 

[Geoffggi]

For me the burning question is WHY are Chine still playing around with these viruses when they know they can't fully control them - Or can they ??

[ukrules]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr Opas also underlines the importance of the continued exploration of viral strains, notably in bats, to preempt possible outbreaks.

 

We all know that bats around the world carry many coronaviruses and all sorts of other nasty stuff that are as yet unknown to humans and haven't even been catalogues or investigated - it's always been this way - likely for thousands of years.

Going looking for them and taking them into a city is the issue here - not that there's another one.

I have news for people who are not aware - there's thousands of them and out of these 1000s of viruses some of them will certainly be transmissible to humans - especially if you place them in the middle of a city.

 

The only thing that changed here is constant meddling with bats - which is a danger in itself.

 

[Banana7]

There’s a quad-Deric in USA that has killed more people this flu season than covid-19. You can see a video about here:

 

[NickyLouie]

As usual there is a super nasty bug going around that could be same as covid / influzenza.... 

[Banana7]

China is not the only one playing around with deadly viruses. USA is playing around with viruses for chickens making bird flu and this new virus has been “accidentally” or “on purpose” released into USA chicken farms. Chicken farms are being tested and if one bird tests positive, all chickens in the farm are being killed, perhaps a million birds. The test is not very good and has been known to produce lots false positive results. This is causing egg prices in USA to sky rocket. The USA is now developing a new mRNA chicken vaccine. You can learn more about this matter here:

 

[BangkokReady]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

However, Dr Opas assures the public that the virus is currently not a cause for concern.

 

Good.  Just don't experiment on it then let it out into the world this time.

[bkknirvana]

Bill Gates was recently in China.

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr Opas emphasized that Thailand is part of a robust international network monitoring infectious diseases. This network keeps a close watch on any emerging virus strains, ensuring readiness to act against potential threats

Yep, we all witnessed the shambles last time around,

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

For me the burning question is WHY are Chine still playing around with these viruses when they know they can't fully control them - Or can they ??

Or did they allow the leak to infect the population who were still traveling the world... the dark side of CCP

[watchcat]

17 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

WHY are Chine still playing around with these viruses when they know they can't fully control them

 

Export?

[Tarteso]

Here we go again…🤔

[Purdey]

If it isn't jumping to humans why worry?

[Peterphuket]

Has the bird from Wuhan flown out again, then?

[digger70]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

The discovery, occurring within the lab rather than the wild, might alarm many who remember the initial reports of COVID-19 from Wuhan in late 2019.

 

Keep it in the Wuhan Lab ,they should've done that in 2019 with the Wuhan Flu  C19 

We Don't want it Shared with the rest of the world Thank you.

[placnx]

21 hours ago, Banana7 said:

China is not the only one playing around with deadly viruses. USA is playing around with viruses for chickens making bird flu and this new virus has been “accidentally” or “on purpose” released into USA chicken farms. Chicken farms are being tested and if one bird tests positive, all chickens in the farm are being killed, perhaps a million birds. The test is not very good and has been known to produce lots false positive results. This is causing egg prices in USA to sky rocket. The USA is now developing a new mRNA chicken vaccine. You can learn more about this matter here:

 

The avian flu comes to chickens from wild migrating birds. It is a natural process.

[connda]

New Coronavirus Raises Concerns, But No Immediate Threat

 

Setting up the conditions to try the con one more time 'eh.  Didn't sufficiently destroy the lower and middle working and business classes the first time around?  Hell, 1/3 of the shops on Thapae Road in Chiang Mai are still shuttered.  Plan on driving a stake through the heart of Thailand and finished the job?  Probably. 

[dinsdale]

On 2/24/2025 at 12:03 PM, webfact said:

The discovery, occurring within the lab rather than the wild, might alarm many who remember the initial reports of COVID-19 from Wuhan in late 2019.

What's this rubbish. What's this mention of "rather than the wild"? It's now accepted with a high degree of certainty that Cov-19 came from the very lab mentioned in this article. This also means with a high degree of certainty that those of us who were called conspiracy theory nutters were correct.

 

[jas007]

'I've begun to notice more Thais wearing masks, as if they're ready for a replay of COVID.  I think it's voluntary, but maybe that's a new rule for some employees? 

[Briggsy]

The Wuhan Clan up to no good again.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

What's this rubbish. What's this mention of "rather than the wild"? It's now accepted with a high degree of certainty that Cov-19 came from the very lab mentioned in this article. This also means with a high degree of certainty that those of us who were called conspiracy theory nutters were correct.

 

 

Your view continues to be the stuff mostly of unsubstantiated right-wing and Republican conspiracy theories...

 

Meanwhile, contrary to your unsourced and unsubstantiated claims above, the majority of U.S. government intelligence agencies voicing an opinion AND the bulk of scientists with expertise in the field believe COVID in humans occurred via a natural jump from some animal species to humans.

 

For the time being, there's been no definitive proof either way as to the origin... just a mainstream opinion of science, and a lot of unproven and often nonsense claims largely coming from various politicians and right-wing social media types who know nothing on the topic.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Sick animals suggest COVID pandemic started in Wuhan market

04 December 2024

...

"Most researchers agree that SARS-CoV-2 originated in animals."

 

https://archive.ph/YGIHJ#selection-977.0-977.16

 

 

"While the origin of the virus remains unknown, scientists think the most likely hypothesis is that it circulated in bats, like many coronaviruses, before infecting another species, probably raccoon dogs, civet cats or bamboo rats. In turn, the infection spread to humans handling or butchering those animals at a market in Wuhan, where the first human cases appeared in late November 2019."

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cia-covid-likely-originated-lab-low-confidence-assessment/

 

 

[dinsdale]

57 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

"Most researchers agree that SARS-CoV-2 originated in animals."

"Most researchers" is always a good one. This of course can simply mean most researchers who support a particular conclusion. Odd how you just cherry picked only this part of the bit you quoted and not the full paragraph. Here it is and just shows how misleading and disingenuous your post is. (I have highlighted some parts.)

Most researchers agree that SARS-CoV-2 originated in animals. However, because a progenitor of the virus has not been found in an animal, some have continued to argue that the virus could have escaped — either by accident or through deliberate release — from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. A detailed report released by the Republican-majority select committee of the US House of Representatives earlier this week concluded that the pandemic “most likely emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan”.

https://archive.ph/YGIHJ#selection-1201.0-1211.131

 

Add to this the FBI and CIA which say albeit with differing levels of certainty that the most likely origin was the Wuhan Lab.

As for SARS-CoV-2 originating in animals I think this is a reasonable conclusion with those animals being humanized mice in the Wuhan Lab via gain of function experimentation.

 

[lordgrinz]

29 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Add to this the FBI and CIA which say albeit with differing levels of certainty that the most likely origin was the Wuhan Lab.

 

I'm going with this as the most likely cause.

[save the frogs]

another pandemic. 

bring it on!

now we know the drill.