They have discovered a new type of coronavirus in South Africa, probably the deadliest. WHO responds – TVNOVINY.sk

Researchers in Wuhan, China, have discovered a new and potentially more dangerous coronavirus, still known as NeoCoV, the Czech portal novinky.cz said on Friday.

According to Chinese experts, the virus is more lethal and transmissible than previously known variants of SARS-CoV-2, which cause COVID-19. The virus was found in bats in South Africa. However, it has not yet been transmitted to humans, and according to Chinese scientists, it is likely that this may happen.

The NeoCoV study has not yet been reviewed, and experts say more research will be needed.

NeoCoV should follow the coronavirus MERS-CoV, which would mean that antibodies obtained by overcoming COVID-19 or vaccinated would be ineffective against the new variant and would not be able to stop it.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) reassures the public not to panic until further studies are conducted.

“Further studies will find out whether the newly discovered virus will pose a risk to humanity,” the WHO answered a question from the Russian agency TASS.