Geneva: After the Chinese on Friday declared discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus, WHO stated that the virus required further study. Scientists from China claimed that the new virus discovered among bats in South Africa could pose a severe threat to the human species in the future.

The top health body was quoted as saying by a local media room, “ Whether the virus detected in the study will pose a risk for humans will require further study.” It added that nearly 75 per cent of the infections in humans was detected first in wild animals.

As per the research paper published by the Chinese, the NeoCov can penetrate human cells in the same as the coronavirus. The paper sounded a warning on the discovery stating it is just one mutation away from turning hostile for humans. The study claims the virus presents symptoms as such of the MERS, a viral disease that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.