Virus World

The zoonotic transmission of bat coronaviruses poses a threat to human health. However, the diversity of bat-borne coronaviruses remains poorly characterized in many geographical areas. Here, we recovered six complete coronavirus genomes by performing a metagenomic analysis of fecal samples from hundreds of individual bats captured in Spain, a country with high bat species diversity. Three of these genomes corresponded to potentially novel coronavirus species belonging to the alphacoronavirus genus.

Phylogenetic analyses revealed that some of these viruses are closely related to coronaviruses previously described in bats from other countries, suggesting the existence of a shared viral reservoir worldwide. Using viral pseudotypes, we investigated the receptor usage of the identified viruses and found that one of them can use human and bat ACE2, highlighting its zoonotic potential. However, the receptor usage of the other viruses remains unknown. This study broadens our understanding of coronavirus diversity and identifies research priorities for the prevention of zoonotic viral outbreaks.

Preprint in biorXiv (Jan. 8, 2025):

https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.01.07.631674 

(Last updated April 22, 2020 - 6:00 pm, PST) 

Global Infections: 2,627,000

Global Deaths: 183,000

Countries & territories affected: 225

April 22, 2020 - More than 2.6 million cases diagnosed, 183,000 deaths globally. Several states in the US start to reopen their businesses despite lack of a 2-week trend downward of COVID-19 cases (Georgia), and at a time when over 2000 people are still dying every day in the U.S. At the same time, Trump signs an executive order to stop immigration. In Spain the lockdown will continue until the second part of May. Deaths in Spain increased overnight to 453. Germany authorizes the test of its first clinical vaccine. Vaccine trials also set to start in the UK. Two cats in New York test positive for COVID-19.

April 21, 2020 - Price of oil drops below zero for the first time on record and oil producers struggle to find places to store current production. Missouri sues the Chinese government over its handling of the coronavirus, saying China's response to the outbreak brought devastating economic losses.

April 15, 2020 - 2 million cases of COVID-19 globally.

April 11, 2020 - U.S. surpasses Italy and reaches a toll of 20,000 deaths and half a million cases. Spain reaches the highest density of confirmed cases in any large country, nearing 4 infections per 1000. The curve of cases in New York starts to flatten after more than 180,000 infections and 8600 deaths have been reported. All U.S. states are now under a federal disaster declaration. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service starts depositing the first coronavirus stimulus payments in taxpayers bank accounts. China reports 99 new cases, although near all of them are overseas travelers returning to the country.

April 10, 2020 - 100,000 deaths globally. A small clinical trial on remdesivir suggest some effect in a study where two thirds of enrolled patients were severely ill.