March 17, 2025 5:13 PM

HKU1 not a new threat, unlikely to cause widespread infection: experts

Amid concerns over a woman in Kolkata testing positive for Human Coronavirus HKU1, health experts have reassured that the virus is not new and is unlikely to cause a widespread outbreak. HKU1 has been known for at least two decades and is categorized among coronaviruses that generally cause mild respiratory infections. HKU1 was first identified in 2004 by researchers at Hong Kong University, from which it derives its name. Also known as Betacoronavirus hongkonense, it is a species of coronaviru...