Bats are likely the cause of coronavirus from China after scientists find the virus is 96 per cent identical to one found in the animals.
The virus, which has killed 362 people so far, was believed to have transferred to humans from an animal, but identifying which one has been challenging.
Now, using samples from seven patients with severe pneumonia caused by the coronavirus, scientists have found striking similarities to coronavirus found in bats.
The DNA is also 79.5 per cent identical with the deadly SARS coronavirus, which suggests vaccines for the now non-existent virus may help with this epidemic.
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