A new strain of coronavirus has been detected in bats in Thailand
Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has confirmed the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus among local bats.
According to official monitoring by the country’s Anti-Fake News Center, the information about the discovery is accurate, but authorities are urging citizens not to panic.
Studies conducted in collaboration with the Department of Disease Control have shown that this virus currently poses no threat to humans.
Experts have determined that the new strain is significantly less pathogenic and has a low transmissibility compared to the COVID-19 virus.
“No cases of infection have been detected among humans,” the agency emphasized.
Importantly, existing coronavirus vaccines remain effective and can significantly reduce the severity of the disease in the event of a hypothetical infection.
At the same time, the scientific community continues to study the ability of coronaviruses to mutate.
In April 2026, the journal Nature published the results of a study by an international group of scientists who discovered a new mechanism by which viruses penetrate human cells.
In particular, the researchers’ attention was drawn to the CcCoV-KY43 virus, found in bats in East Africa.
It turned out that its spike protein had learned to interact with the CEACAM6 receptor, which is present in human lung tissue. This means that viruses can “find” new biological keys to cells.
“This virus is capable of binding to human cells and potentially penetrating them,” the study authors note.
However, they add that for the virus to spread widely, it must learn to evade the immune system, which is not currently observed in the case of CcCoV-KY43.
Thai scientists are conducting monitoring as part of the “One Health” concept, which involves joint monitoring of the environment, animals, and humans.
It was this approach that allowed for the timely identification of the new strain in bats in Chachoengsao Province.
Local authorities remind the public that bats are natural reservoirs for dozens of virus species, so contact with them should be minimized as much as possible.
Experts urge residents of rural areas not to consume these animals and not to visit caves without special protective gear.
Currently, the risk of a new large-scale outbreak caused by this strain is considered minimal.
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