Bangkok: Deputy Minister of Public Health clarifies the recent discovery of the HKU5 coronavirus strain in bats, noting it has not yet spread to humans. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health emphasized that the data stems from a 2023 research report by a Chinese lab. Thailand continues to maintain a robust outbreak surveillance system and advises preventive measures such as mask-wearing, handwashing, and avoiding crowded places to mitigate virus transmission risks.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the Permanent Secretary, provided insights into the findings by Chinese researchers. The research indicates that the HKU5-CoV-2 strain, a genetic variant within the Merbecovirus genus, exhibits the ability to attach to human and mammalian receptors similar to the COVID-19 virus. However, it is not a novel strain but rather part of the existing coronavirus family comprising multiple subspecies. The research suggests a potential risk of animal-to-human transmission, but to date, no human transmission or related epidemiological data have been reported.
Thailand's international disease surveillance and control system involves collaboration between the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Medical Sciences, and university research networks. This system ensures continuous monitoring and rapid response to emerging virus strains. Currently, the predominant COVID-19 strain in Thailand is Omicron JN.1*.
Dr. Opas highlighted that although the HKU5-CoV-2 strain has not shown widespread prevalence, the public should follow standard preventive measures against respiratory viruses. These include avoiding crowded settings, wearing masks when necessary, and maintaining hand hygiene. Vaccination remains a key protective measure for individuals at risk or with severe symptoms, with vaccines available for influenza and COVID-19.
Further investigation into new viruses in bats is ongoing in countries like China, Japan, and the United States. This research aims to prepare for potential outbreaks by understanding virus properties and developing vaccines. The risk of direct bat-to-human infection remains low to moderate, as virus quantities in bats are minimal, and human-bat contact is rare, typically requiring an intermediary animal for transmission.