Archive · 31 Oct 2025
New Covid-Like Virus Discovered in Brazilian Bats
Scientists found a new virus in bats in Brazil that is like the virus that causes COVID-19.
This new virus is called BRZ batCoV and it was found in a type of bat with fuzzy faces called moustached bats.
Bats are known to carry many viruses.
This new virus is different from the COVID-19 virus but shares some important features, like a special part on its surface that helps viruses get inside cells.
Scientists are studying it because viruses can sometimes jump from animals to people.
Right now, there is no proof that this new virus can infect people or spread outside of bats.
The discovery helps scientists learn more about how viruses evolve and if they might be able to spread to humans in the future.
A new Covid-19-like virus, named BRZ batCoV, has been discovered in moustached bats in Brazil by an international team of scientists.
The virus was found in the Pteronius parnellii bat species and is phylogenetically distinct from known betacoronaviruses, potentially representing a new subgenus.
BRZ batCoV possesses a functional furin cleavage site on its spike protein with a unique amino acid sequence (RDAR), a feature important for host range and transmission.
While the virus is related to MERS viruses, there is currently no evidence that BRZ batCoV infects humans or spreads beyond bat populations.
The discovery highlights the role of bats as reservoirs for viruses and provides insights into the evolutionary potential and zoonotic risk of coronaviruses.
- Who
- An international team of scientists from Japan, the US, Australia, and Belgium.
- What
- Discovered a new Covid-19-like virus, named BRZ batCoV, in moustached bats.
- When
- The research findings were recently published on the pre-print site BioRxiv.
- Where
- Brazil, in a species of moustached bats (Pteronius parnellii).
- Why
- To understand the evolutionary potential and zoonotic risk of bat coronaviruses.
Scientists' Findings
Potential Concerns
Evidence of Human Infection
Scientists' Findings
The scientists who discovered BRZ batCoV state there is no evidence that it infects humans or spreads beyond bat populations.
Potential Concerns
Some experts fear the virus might have been gaining ground for months, and a researcher noted "alarming exposure rates" that may be spreading silently.
Virus Distinction from COVID-19
Scientists' Findings
BRZ batCoV is not the same as COVID-19 and is more closely related to MERS viruses, which spread less easily but are more deadly.
Potential Concerns
The virus is described as "Covid-19-like" due to possessing a functional furin cleavage site, a feature also found in SARS-CoV-2, which is crucial for infectivity and transmission.
- Virus Name
- BRZ batCoV
- Bat Species
- Pteronius parnellii (moustached bat)
- Location of Discovery
- Brazil
- Researchers Affiliation
- International team from Japan, US, Australia, Belgium (Universities of Osaka and Sydney)
- Virus Classification
- Novel bat betacoronavirus, distinct and potentially representing a new subgenus.
- Key Feature
- Functional furin cleavage site with a unique amino acid sequence motif (RDAR).