A new strain of coronavirus has been detected in bats in Thailand, though no human infections have been reported so far. The announcement was made by the country’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health.

According to officials, preliminary studies suggest that the newly identified virus is less transmissible and less pathogenic than COVID-19. Experts also noted that existing COVID-19 vaccines are still effective at reducing the severity of illness.

Authorities emphasized that the risk of a large-scale outbreak is considered low.

Public interest in the issue increased after widespread discussion on social media. Following a review, Thailand’s Anti-Fake News Center confirmed the authenticity of reports about the discovery of the new coronavirus strain in bats.