Scientists have issued a stark warning over the potential re-emergence of a dangerous coronavirus threat in East Africa after a newly identified bat-borne virus was found to possess the ability to infect human cells.
The virus, named CcCoV-KY43, was discovered during a collaborative study involving UK researchers and scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). The findings, published in the prestigious journal Nature, focused on coronaviruses circulating in wildlife populations across East Africa — a region where close contact between humans and animals remains common.
According to researchers, the virus was detected in heart-nosed bats across parts of Kenya, northern Tanzania, and eastern Sudan.
Laboratory analysis revealed that the virus is capable of binding to receptors found in human lung cells — a crucial step that enables coronaviruses to infect people if transmission from animals, known as “spillover,” occurs.
Scientists examined spike proteins from several alphacoronaviruses — the molecular structures that act like “keys” allowing viruses to enter human cells — and tested their interaction with a variety of human receptors under controlled conditions.
Dr Dalan Bailey, a molecular biology expert at The Pirbright Institute, said the findings challenge long-held assumptions about how such viruses behave.
“Before our study, it was assumed most alphacoronaviruses used just one or two possible receptors. We now know they might use a whole variety of additional receptors to get into cells,” he said.
The discovery suggests that bat-borne coronaviruses may have a broader capacity to interact with human biology than previously understood — raising concerns about future pandemic risks.
Professor Stephen Graham of the University of Cambridge explained the implications using a simple analogy.
“Viral spike proteins are keys that fit into locks. The challenge now is to find the others. Now that we’re aware there is a potential risk — a risk that has always existed — we can start to prepare for it,” he said.
Despite the concerning findings, researchers stressed there is currently no evidence that the virus has infected humans. Ongoing surveillance and testing in East Africa have not detected any cases of spillover.
Dr Giulia Gallo, also of the Pirbright Institute, noted that the research was conducted using only spike proteins rather than the full virus, ensuring safety while allowing scientists to study infection potential in detail.
Experts say the study highlights the importance of continued monitoring of zoonotic diseases, particularly in regions where human and wildlife interactions are frequent, as the world remains alert to the risk of future outbreaks.
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