Confirmed: New Coronavirus Strain Found in Thai Bats, No Human Cases Detected
A new coronavirus strain discovered in Thai bat populations poses no immediate human health threat, according to Thailand's Digital Economy Ministry, with the virus showing lower transmissibility than COVID-19.
Thailand's Digital Economy Ministry confirmed on May 11, 2569 that a new coronavirus strain has been discovered in Thai bat populations, with no human infections reported so far. The virus is believed to have lower disease-causing potential and transmission rates compared to COVID-19. The discovery was made through Thailand's wildlife disease surveillance system under the One Health approach, which monitors disease transmission between humans, animals, and the environment.
Meanwhile, the ministry's Anti-Fake News Center (AFNC) examined 160,397 messages on May 9, identifying 8,714 requiring verification. Most leads came from social media monitoring (8,713 messages), with 24 topics undergoing full investigation. Of 11 completed investigations, 7 were particularly popular: 2 confirmed facts, 3 fake news, and 2 distorted information. The coronavirus discovery ranked as the most-shared verified story, while other debunked claims included obtaining driver's licenses through TikTok and false reports about special economic zones permitting casinos.
The bat coronavirus discovery is genuine, confirmed jointly by the Digital Economy Ministry and the Public Health Ministry's Disease Control Department. Current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at reducing disease severity. The risk of outbreak is assessed as low, though the ministry urges citizens to verify information from official sources only and avoid sharing unconfirmed reports on social media.
