China and then Japan... Coronavirus-like Virus Found in Bat Droppings

[Image source = Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] A virus with genes similar to those of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been found in bat droppings in Japan.

According to Japanese media including NHK on the 8th, a research team led by Associate Professor Shin Murakami (veterinary medicine) at the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo analyzed the genes of a virus found in bat droppings collected from a cave in Japan seven years ago and discovered that it matches 81.5% of the COVID-19 genes.

The research team explained that this virus appears to have the closest genetic similarity to the novel coronavirus among viruses collected from wild animals living in Japan.

However, it was confirmed that this virus does not infect human cells.

Professor Murakami stated, "Only a very small portion of coronaviruses are considered dangerous, but we cannot rule out the possibility that types of coronaviruses that infect humans exist in Japan as well," adding, "We need to investigate wild animals and promptly understand the actual situation."

Meanwhile, viruses with more than 95% genetic similarity to the novel coronavirus have been found in bats and other animals in China so far.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.