The abstraction of potentially zoonotic SARS‐like coronavirus (BtSY2): A threat to global health

This article highlights the discovery of a new virus lurking in bats in Yunnan province of China. The virus shows phylogenetic and genomic similarity to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus, which was the cause of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The virus, named Bat SARS‐like virus BtSY2, along with four other viruses, has been named a “virus of concern.” Recombination events in the viral genome due to coinfection by multiple viruses in related animal hosts can lead to disease emergence, a process that has repeated itself innumerable times throughout history and has given rise to some major viral pandemics. Zoonotic infections, if not contained at the right time, can cause significant harm to the public health sector as well as the global economy. Studies like this are required to acquire a good understanding of the phylogeny of the virus, mechanisms of its transmission, carriers, probable clinical picture, and similarity to previous outbreaks. This will help to devise preventive strategies and, in case of higher probability and hazardous potential of the disease, develop prototype vaccines and drugs to face the outbreak with adequate preparedness.