Another Covid-like threat? Scientists in China create virus in lab that can kill in THREE days

Scientists at China's Hebei Medical University have engineered a virus using parts of the Ebola, apparently to analyse the disease and its symptoms, but raising fears as this pathogen could potentially kill in three days. The genetically modified virus turned out to be a variant that reportedly killed lab hamsters within just three days of exposure. 

The world can see it as a new threat coming from China amid already existing conspiracy theories that coronavirus (COVID-19), which killed millions, was leaked from a lab in Wuhan. 

The recent study , published in Science Direct, revealed that researchers used a glycoprotein found in the Ebola virus, which leads the virus to infect cells and spread throughout the human body, to create the pathogen in the lab. 

They created a strain that caused severe systemic illnesses similar to those seen in human Ebola patients, including multi-organ failure. 

As per the study, some hamsters developed scabs over the surface of their eyeballs, which eventually affected their vision. 

Also read: World's life expectancy is lowest in over a decade due to Covid: WHO 

As quoted by Science Direct, the researchers said, "It is a sign that 3-week-old Syrian hamsters infected with the virus have the possibility of playing a role in the study of optic nerve disorders caused by EVD." 

The study mentioned that animal experiments were performed after it was approved by the animal experimental committee of the Laboratory Animal Center, Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science. 

Ever since Covid was declared a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020, several claims and counterclaims have been made over its origin. Many assumed that it spread in a live animal market before spreading throughout the world. But some also claimed it was leaked from a lab. 

Also read: Raw milk contaminated with bird-flu virus damaging multiple organs of mice: study 

However, in this study, the Chinese researchers highlighted that their aim was to replicate Ebola symptoms in a controlled laboratory environment. They wanted to understand and facilitate prevention strategies. 

Notably, the scientists and researchers used a different virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), to transport Ebola glycoprotein as the deadly Ebola requires exceptionally secure Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) facilities. The mentioned protein is critical for the virus's ability to enter and infect host cells. 

As quoted by Science Direct, the researchers said, "Overall, this surrogate model represents a safe, effective, and economical tool for rapid preclinical evaluation of medical countermeasures against EBOV (Ebola virus) under BSL-2 conditions, which would accelerate technological advances and breakthroughs in confronting Ebola virus disease." 

(With inputs from agencies)