Famed Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, known as "Batwoman" for her zoonotic virus studies, has issued a strong warning about the likelihood of another coronavirus outbreak in the future. Shi and her team at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have conducted research emphasizing the global need for readiness against diseases similar to Covid-19. This concern arises from their analysis, which has identified numerous coronavirus species posing a substantial risk of spillover to humans. Among these are species that have previously caused diseases in humans or other animals.
#China #Covid19 #Coronavirus #ShiZhengli
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#China #Covid19 #Coronavirus #ShiZhengli
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00:00 It seems the worst is still not over.
00:06 Renowned Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli, often called "Batwoman" due to her research on
00:13 zoonotic viruses, has warned that another coronavirus outbreak in the future is highly
00:19 probable.
00:20 Shi's research, conducted with her Wuhan Institute of Virology team, highlights the
00:26 necessity of global preparedness for potential diseases akin to COVID-19.
00:31 This caution stems from their analysis which identified a substantial number of coronavirus
00:36 species with a significant human spillover risk, including some that have previously
00:42 caused diseases in humans or other animals.
00:48 Here are the key findings of Shi's research.
00:51 High Human Spillover Risk - Shi's team evaluated 40 coronavirus species and categorized half
00:58 of them as highly risky in terms of potential spillover to humans.
01:03 Past Outbreaks - Coronaviruses were responsible for both the 2003 SARS outbreak and the more
01:09 recent COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the danger of these pathogens.
01:15 Future Disease Emergence - The study concluded that it is nearly certain that new diseases
01:21 will emerge in the future with a high likelihood of them being caused by coronaviruses.
01:28 Viral Traits Analysis - The analysis considered various viral traits, including population,
01:35 genetic diversity, host species and previous events of diseases jumping from animals to
01:40 humans.
01:43 Desire to Move On - The reluctance of Chinese authorities to dwell on COVID-19 and their
01:48 decreased transparency in sharing infection data is noted.
01:52 This could partly explain the study's focus on future preparedness.
01:57 Quick Testing Tools - Shi's team has identified rapid and sensitive testing tools to monitor
02:03 high-risk viruses actively.
02:08 Identified Hosts - The study identifies hosts of the pathogen, including natural hosts like
02:13 bats and rodents, as well as possible intermediate hosts such as camels, civets, pigs or pangolins.
02:22 Dictionary of Coronaviruses - While not groundbreaking, this research is likened to a comprehensive
02:28 reference on coronaviruses, offering essential knowledge for the future outbreaks.
02:34 Importance of Preparedness - Understanding these viruses will expedite testing and vaccine
02:39 development in future public health crises.
02:44 Lab Leak Controversy - The Wuhan Institute of Virology remains under scrutiny regarding
02:49 the origins of COVID-19, with a debate over whether the virus originated in a lab or through
02:55 zoonotic transmission.
02:59 Shi Zhengli's warnings highlight the importance of global readiness for future coronavirus
03:04 outbreaks.
03:05 The study emphasizes the need for vigilance, continued research and improved tools for
03:11 monitoring and combating potential pandemics.
03:14 While the origins of COVID-19 remain debated, the lessons learned from the ongoing pandemic
03:19 highlight the urgency of such preparedness efforts.
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