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Kenyan Study Finds Bat Coronavirus Binds Human CEACAM6

4/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Kenyan scientists identified a bat coronavirus (CcCoV-KY43) that binds the human CEACAM6 receptor.
The team screened 27 alphacoronavirus spike proteins from GenBank and found that only CcCoV-KY43 bound CEACAM6.
Field studies in eastern Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania found no human infections near the bat colonies.
Scientists said the result is an early warning and urged broader surveillance and vaccine development.

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Story summary

Kenyan scientists identified a bat coronavirus (CcCoV-KY43) that binds the human CEACAM6 receptor.
The team screened 27 alphacoronavirus spike proteins from GenBank and found that only CcCoV-KY43 bound CEACAM6.
Field studies in eastern Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania found no human infections near the bat colonies.
Scientists said the result is an early warning and urged broader surveillance and vaccine development.