A coronavirus related to the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans has been found in UK horseshoe bats—according to new collaborative research from the University of East Anglia, ZSL (Zoological Society of London), and Public Health England (PHE).
However, there is no evidence that this novel virus has been transmitted to humans, or that it could in future, unless it mutates.
UEA researchers collected faecal samples from more than 50 lesser horseshoe bats in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wales and sent them for viral analysis at Public Health England.
Genome sequencing found a novel coronavirus in one of the bat samples, which the team have named "RhGB01."
Due to the rapid response nature of this research, it has not yet been peer reviewed.
It is the first time that a sarbeco-virus (SARS-related coronavirus) has been found in a lesser horseshoe bat and the first to be discovered in the UK.
The research team say that these bats will almost certainly have harboured the virus for a very long time. And it has been found now, because this is the first time that they have been tested.
Importantly, this novel virus is unlikely to pose a direct risk to humans, unless it mutates.
A mutation could happen if a human infected with COVID-19 passes it to an infected bat, so
anyone coming into contact with bats or their droppings, for example those engaged in caving or bat protection, should wear appropriate PPE.