NeoCov an old virus, never infects human being: Expert

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid19 has mutated and resulted in different variants of the virus, including the latest Omicron.

The Delta strain is regarded as the most contagious form of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus to date.

"NeoCov is an old virus closely related to MERS Cov which enters cells via DPP4 receptors. NeoCov can use ACE2 receptors of bats but they can't use human ACE2 receptors unless a new mutation occurs," revealed Dr Naresh Purohit ,Visiting Professor , West Bengal University of Health Sciences, School of Public Health.

With apprehensions among people about newly discovered coronavirus, called NeoCov, Federation of Hospital Administrators Executive Member Dr Purohit told UNI here on Saturday that there is no need to panic as the virus is confined to animals and does not cause human infection.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recent update, whether NeoCov coronavirus poses a threat to humans requires further study.

“NeoCov has been found in bats and in its current form there is no threat of the virus jumping from bats to humans,” said Purohit.

Speaking on the news reports about NeoCov virus' potential to kill one of every three infected persons, the doctor said: "There is little connection between the paper and inference that have been drawn by news reports."

“The researchers clearly say that the virus which exists in bats cannot infect humans except in case the virus undergoes a particular type of mutation which is a mere speculation,” he said.