- Shi Zhengli issued a warning that it is “highly likely” that another coronavirus will emerge in the future.
- Six of these are already documented to have brought about diseases that affected people.
- Although such research is not considered to be novel or technically difficult, they are nonetheless significant.
In a recent publication co-authored with colleagues, Shi Zhengli—one of China‘s most well-known virologists and also known as “Batwoman”—issued a warning that it is “highly likely” that another coronavirus will emerge in the future.
As she put it, “If a coronavirus caused diseases to emerge before, there is a high chance it will cause future outbreaks” and that is why the world needs to be ready for another illness like COVID-19.
Batwoman in China
According to South China Post, the Wuhan Institute of Virology team led by Shi Zhengli assessed the risk of 40 different coronavirus species for the study and classified half of them as “highly risky.”
Six of these are already documented to have brought about diseases that affected people. Three others may have spread disease or afflicted other animal species, according to available information.
The study, which is based on an analysis of viral features, including population, genetic diversity, host species, and any prior history of zoonosis, cautioned that future disease reappearance is very guaranteed and that it is highly likely that a [coronavirus] disease will reappear.
During private conversations, we have observed that Chinese authorities have decided to downplay COVID-19 in some cities, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Important hosts of the disease, including natural hosts like bats and rodents, have been identified by Shi Zhengli and her colleagues. They also discovered potential intermediate hosts including camels, civets, pigs, or pangolins.
The scientist stated that although such research is not considered to be novel or technically difficult, they are nonetheless significant. The scientist continued, “Just as we need a mushroom textbook to avoid eating poisonous mushrooms, it’s necessary to establish such tools for pathogens.”
