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The evolution and emergence of SARS-like viruses, posing a risk to humanity, can be linked to the subtropical region of northern Indochina, according to researchers at the University of Pécs National Laboratory of Virology, during their research into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virologists of the University of Pécs have achieved great success in the research of the origin of the COVID pandemic in the framework of an international collaboration. Over the past ten years, the experts have been on numerous expeditions around the world to understand the origins, mechanisms and prevention of various viral epidemics.
Their current research, published in the journal Molecular Ecology, focused on Vietnam and sarbecoviruses. This group includes SARS-CoV-1, which has been much talked about in recent years, and SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest study of the virologists from Pécs (southwestern Hungary) supports the widely accepted scientific view that SARS-CoV-2 originates from nature,”
the researchers said in a statement, adding that the paper sheds light on deeper connections, as it revealed a hitherto unknown process of the development of SARS viruses.
The geographical location of Vietnam is of particular interest, as the northern and southern regions have different climatic conditions and therefore different ecological characteristics. Experts have collected samples from several locations in the country and identified a total of 38 newly discovered SARS-like viruses. The new viruses included some that could be interpreted as evolutionary ancestors of SARS-CoV-1 or SARS-CoV-2, but strangely, mixtures of the two were also detected.
Surprisingly, however, the most striking result was not in the description of the new viruses. The ecologically and climatically different northern and southern regions of the country have proved to be very different “workshops” for the emergence and development of viruses.
Based on the results of the study, it appears that the evolution and emergence of SARS-like viruses, posing a risk to humanity, can be linked to the subtropical region of northern Indochina,”
the researchers found. The virologists suspect that this is due to a number of parameters that influence the life cycle of wild animals, such as winter hibernation or different species composition and lifestyle.
According to the communication, the results of the research are not only scientifically outstanding, but will benefit society in the long term by contributing to the prevention and effective management of future epidemics. “If we know where these viruses come from, we can better prepare for potential epidemics and reduce the processes that contribute to human disease. These include conserving biodiversity and restricting the trade and consumption of wildlife in areas where these viruses may be present,” they concluded.
Via MTI; Featured image via Pixabay
