“SARS-CoV-3” That is Likely to Debut in 2025 Will Involve a Recombinant Porcine Delta Coronavirus Strain and Not Bat Viruses!

Medical News: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 underscored the profound impact zoonotic coronaviruses can have on global health. While bats have been implicated as reservoirs for several coronaviruses, recent studies suggest that other animal coronaviruses, such as Porcine Deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), possess the potential for cross-species transmission, including to humans. This raises concerns about the possible emergence of a novel human coronavirus, tentatively termed “SARS-CoV-3”, originating from a recombinant PDCoV strain.


“SARS-CoV-3” That is Likely to Debut in 2025 Will Involve a Recombinant Porcine Delta
Coronavirus Strain and Not Bat Viruses

This Medical News report warns that while the world is more focused on H5N1, no one is paying any attention into what is happening with other coronaviruses found in other species especially the PDCoV viruses that are also evolving.
 
Understanding Porcine Deltacoronavirus (PDCoV)
PDCoV is an emerging enteropathogenic coronavirus first identified in Hong Kong in 2012. It primarily infects swine, causing acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and high mortality rates in neonatal piglets. Unlike other porcine coronaviruses, PDCoV has demonstrated a broader host range. Experimental infections have shown susceptibility in chickens, turkeys, and calves, indicating its potential for cross-species transmission.
 
Evidence of Human Infection
The zoonotic potential of PDCoV became evident when researchers identified PDCoV strains in plasma samples from three Haitian children with acute undifferentiated febrile illness in 2014 and 2015. This finding marked the first known instance of PDCoV infection in humans, highlighting the virus's ability to cross the species barrier and infect humans. Since then, other isolated cases involving human infections have also emerged in China and elsewhere.
 
Mechanisms Facilitating Cross-Species Transmission
The Porcine Delta Coronavirus is an airborne virus. Coronaviruses are known for their genetic plasticity, which enables them to adapt to new hosts. Recombination events, where genetic material is exchanged between different viral strains, play a significant role in this adaptability. The emergence of recombinant strains, such as the "Deltacron" variant - a hybrid of Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants - illustrates the potential for coronaviruses to combine genetic material from distinct lineages.
 
In the case of PDCoV, its ability to infect multiple species increases the likelihood of recombination events with other coronaviruses. Such recombination could result in a novel virus with enhanced transmissibility or pathogenicity in humans.
 
There is a very likehood of a recombinant event involving PDCoV and a lineage of SARS-CoV-2 occurring despite claims from certain “experts” it is not possible. However past studies showing recombinant events occurring in mice involving SARS-Co-2 and other coronaviruses and even flu v iruses have proved them wrong.
 
Notably, PDCoV has been shown to utilize porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) as a functional receptor for cellular entry. The broad receptor engagement of PDCoV may potentiate its diverse cross-species transmissibility.
 
Recent studies are also showing that the PDCoV virus is evolving and getting adapt at using the various sialic receptors for viral entry.
 
Also, newer research data has shown that newer lineages of the PDCoV viruses are also able to use heparan sulfate as an attachment receptor.
 
There is very little genomic surveillance of the PDCoV virus and there is very monitoring on its evolution and mutations that it is spawning.
 
Potential Public Health Implications
The possibility of a recombinant PDCoV strain adapting to human to human transmission poses significant public health concerns. Given PDCoV's ability to infect human cells and documented cases of human infection, there is a plausible risk of sustained human-to-human transmission. If such a strain were to acquire efficient transmissibility among humans, it could lead to outbreaks with substantial morbidity and mortality.
 
Moreover, the agricultural industry could face challenges, as PDCoV primarily affects swine populations. An outbreak in pigs could disrupt pork production, leading to economic losses and potential food security issues. The interconnectedness of human and animal health underscores the importance of a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies to mitigate such risks.
 
Surveillance and Preparedness Strategies
To preempt the emergence of a SARS-CoV-3 originating from PDCoV, several measures should be considered:
 
-Enhanced Surveillance: Implement comprehensive surveillance programs in swine populations to monitor PDCoV prevalence and genetic evolution. Early detection of recombinant strains with zoonotic potential is crucial.
 
-Cross-Species Transmission Research: Conduct studies to understand the mechanisms facilitating PDCoV's cross-species transmission. Identifying factors that enable the virus to infect human cells can inform risk assessments and intervention strategies.
 
-Vaccine Development: Invest in the development of vaccines targeting PDCoV to protect swine populations. Vaccination could reduce viral load in pigs, thereby minimizing the risk of transmission to humans.
 
-Public Health Preparedness: Develop preparedness plans that include the possibility of PDCoV or related coronaviruses emerging as human pathogens. This includes stockpiling antiviral agents, establishing diagnostic capabilities, and formulating communication strategies to inform the public and stakeholders.
 
-One Health Approach: Foster collaboration between veterinary and human health sectors to address the threat of zoonotic diseases. Integrated surveillance and response efforts can lead to more effective management of emerging infectious diseases.
 
Conclusion
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 highlighted the profound impact zoonotic coronaviruses can have on global health. While bats have been the focus as reservoirs for such viruses, the potential of other animal coronaviruses, like PDCoV, to cross species barriers and infect humans necessitates vigilant surveillance and proactive measures. Understanding the mechanisms of cross-species transmission, investing in preventive strategies, and adopting a One Health approach are essential steps to mitigate the risk of a future coronavirus pandemic originating from non-bat reservoirs.
 
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