Brazilian scientists have discovered a new type of coronavirus in bats, named BRZ batCoV, which carries genetic similarities to both the viruses that cause COVID-19 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The finding suggests that such coronaviruses may also circulate in Latin America, expanding the known global distribution of bat-borne coronaviruses.
According to international media reports, the virus was identified in the Parnell’s mustached bat (Pteronotus parnellii) — an insect-eating species common across Latin America. Researchers collected 70 intestinal tissue samples from bats in Brazil’s Maranhão and São Paulo states and conducted genetic sequencing, which revealed that BRZ batCoV possesses a functional furin cleavage site (FCS) on its spike protein — a feature that acts like a “molecular key,” allowing the virus to more easily enter animal or human cells.
Previously, no bat coronaviruses found in the Americas were reported to have this cleavage site. Scientists believe it may have evolved independently within South American bat populations. Researchers from Osaka University noted that this discovery demonstrates how “similar molecular traits can naturally emerge in different viral lineages.” While the presence of such a feature in COVID-19 once sparked lab-origin debates, subsequent studies have shown that many coronaviruses naturally contain similar elements.
The study classifies BRZ batCoV as a betacoronavirus related to the MERS-like group but distinct enough to form its own lineage. Similar viruses have mainly been found in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — making this the first known detection in the Western Hemisphere. There is currently no evidence that BRZ batCoV can infect humans or other mammals.
Experts emphasize that the discovery highlights the importance of wildlife virus surveillance. Researchers stressed that detecting a virus does not mean it poses an immediate threat — the actual risk depends on how often humans come into contact with infected animals. They call for expanded monitoring efforts across Latin America and other under-sampled regions to strengthen early warning systems and provide scientific insight for preventing future outbreaks.
