Khosta-2: all you need to know about the new coronavirus variant

A new variant of the COVID-19 virus has been discovered even when the threat of COVID-19 pandemic reels. A team of US scientists have discovered coronavirus variant namely Khosta-2 in Russian bats.

Reports suggest that the virus is capable of infecting humans and has been shown to interact with the ACE2 receptor, which is similar to the entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2.

Indian Council of Medical Research on the other hand has confirmed no Khosta virus cases in the country.

Senior scientist at National Institute of Virology Pragya Yadav told ANI that "there are no cases of human infections with Khosta viruses have been reported yet." Though she did not rule out the possibility of Zoonotic spillover of the sarbecoviruses from animals to humans.

The Khosta-1 and Khosta-2 were identified in Russian bats in late 2020, but did not pose a threat to human beings, as per Financial Express report.

The report further suggested that Khosta 1 posed low risk to humans, while its second variation could be troublesome for mankind. "There is in fact a potent risk of Khosta 2 recombining with a second virus-like SARS-CoV-2.

Meanwhile, India has expressed assertiveness over prepearedness to deal with such viral pathogens. "We will be able o handle public health emergency on reemergence of any viral pathogen in India," Yadav told ANI.

Also Watch| Scientists develop eco-friendly plastic film that can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus