Published: 30 October 2013
Isolation and characterization of a bat SARS-like coronavirus that uses the ACE2 receptor

Xing-Yi Ge, Jia-Lu Li, Xing-Lou Yang, Aleksei A. Chmura, Guangjian Zhu, Jonathan H. Epstein, Jonna K. Mazet, Ben Hu, Wei Zhang, Cheng Peng, Yu-Ji Zhang, Chu-Ming Luo, Bing Tan, Ning Wang, Yan Zhu, Gary Crameri, Shu-Yi Zhang, Lin-Fa Wang, Peter Daszak & Zheng-Li Shi

Nature volume 503, pages535–538(2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The 2002–3 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was one of the most significant public health events in recent history1. An ongoing outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 suggests that this group of viruses remains a key threat and that their distribution is wider than previously recognized. Although bats have been suggested to be the natural reservoirs of both viruses3,4,5, attempts to isolate the progenitor virus of SARS-CoV from bats have been unsuccessful. Diverse SARS-like coronaviruses (SL-CoVs) have now been reported from bats in China, Europe and Africa5,6,7,8, but none is considered a direct progenitor of SARS-CoV because of their phylogenetic disparity from this virus and the inability of their spike proteins to use the SARS-CoV cellular receptor molecule, the human angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2)9,10. Here we report whole-genome sequences of two novel bat coronaviruses from Chinese horseshoe bats (family: Rhinolophidae) in Yunnan, China: RsSHC014 and Rs3367. These viruses are far more closely related to SARS-CoV than any previously identified bat coronaviruses, particularly in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein. Most importantly, we report the first recorded isolation of a live SL-CoV (bat SL-CoV-WIV1) from bat faecal samples in Vero E6 cells, which has typical coronavirus morphology, 99.9% sequence identity to Rs3367 and uses ACE2 from humans, civets and Chinese horseshoe bats for cell entry. Preliminary in vitro testing indicates that WIV1 also has a broad species tropism. Our results provide the strongest evidence to date that Chinese horseshoe bats are natural reservoirs of SARS-CoV, and that intermediate hosts may not be necessary for direct human infection by some bat SL-CoVs. They also highlight the importance of pathogen-discovery programs targeting high-risk wildlife groups in emerging disease hotspots as a strategy for pandemic preparedness.-- excerpt, rest at link above --

Quote: Sanguine wrote in post #690

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Fact check: Did the coronavirus originate in a Chinese laboratory?
Molly Stellino
USA TODAY
The claim: The coronavirus may have originated in a Chinese laboratory.

As the new coronavirus spreads, misinformation about its origins circulate the internet.

One of the most prominent examples of false information about the virus is an article published in January by the right-leaning Washington Times that claims the coronavirus may have originated in a research laboratory in Wuhan, China.

More:Fact check: Coronavirus originated in China, not elsewhere, researchers and studies say

The article quotes a former military intelligence officer who claimed the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a maximum-security Chinese laboratory granted authority to research dangerous pathogens, likely was involved in a biological weapons program.-- excerpt, rest at link above --

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This is what unbridled, untethered, unmoored populism looks like.... let's hope and pray that Trump is not listening to a word that this dangerous madman is saying....

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I watched as much as I could stomach. There lies to road to serfdom.

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Quote: austingirl wrote in post #698

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Why would the stay at home orders have to exceed fourteen days if it's true the incubation period outside limit is fourteen days? Are people going to swallow this?

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BREAKING: Harris County issues stay-at-home order
by Scott LawrenceTuesday, March 24th 2020

https://kfdm.com/news/local/breaking-harris-county-issues-stay-at-home-order

BREAKING: Harris County issues stay-at-home order to reduce spread of COVID-19 outbreak. It takes effect at midnight Wednesday and continues through at least April 3.

The order affects all cities and unincorporated areas of Harris County.

People must stay at home unless their jobs are considered essential.

-- excerpt, rest at link above --

I've noted before, they are relentless.... they can't get Trump to lock down the nation, so they go to the governors.... can't get the governors to lock it all down, they go to the counties.... and so forth....

How does this augur for Trump attempting to stand up against the stampede next Monday or Tuesday?

Texas’ largest counties are issuing stay-at-home orders as coronavirus spreads
The orders represent some of the most stringent measures local officials in Texas have taken so far to address the colossal public health crisis.
by Alex Samuels March 23, 2020 Updated: March 24, 2020

https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/23/austin-travis-county-issue-stay-home-order-tuesday/

Austin streets are nearly empty during the coronavirus outbreak. Photo credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune