In a recent meeting of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Peter Daszak, head of the New York-based non-profit EcoHealth Alliance, unveiled the discovery of a novel bat virus in a Thai cave. The virus, yet to be named, poses a potential threat to humans and was found in an area where local farmers commonly use bat faeces as fertiliser. Dr. Daszak emphasized that the virus, identified as a potential zoonotic pathogen, is shed in bat faeces, heightening the risk of human exposure.
Despite past controversies, including links to experiments in Wuhan, Dr. Daszak has consistently refuted the lab-leak theory, maintaining that the coronavirus has natural origins. The discovery raises concerns about the potential emergence of a new zoonotic disease, urging heightened vigilance in monitoring and addressing such threats.
Simultaneously, the World Health Organisation has reported a surge in global coronavirus cases, with a 42% increase in hospitalisations across 50 countries. The rise is attributed to the JN.1 Covid variant, first identified in France in September. While classified as a “variant of interest,” WHO states the global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently deemed low.
