Re:Ask HN: Is it possible 2019-nCoV is already endemic?
by tristanj on Tuesday February 11, 2020 @06:01PM
(#22303900)
This article gives more info on the most probable source of the virus. In 2004, Chinese researchers discovered a bat cave with a virus 96% genetically similar to the coronavirus spreading today.
> “We found viruses in bats that could infect human cells in a lab,” he said.
> The team drew samples from people who lived near the bat caves and found that three per cent of them had developed antibodies to the viruses — proving that the strains can and have infected humans in the past.
Responding to your question, it's very possible the virus is endemic to the region & a particularly virulent strain is spreading.
> “We found viruses in bats that could infect human cells in a lab,” he said.
> The team drew samples from people who lived near the bat caves and found that three per cent of them had developed antibodies to the viruses — proving that the strains can and have infected humans in the past.
Responding to your question, it's very possible the virus is endemic to the region & a particularly virulent strain is spreading.
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/cave-full-of-bats-in-chi...