WHO: COVID-19 origins still unconfirmed, data gaps persist
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The World Health Organization (WHO) Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a group of 27 independent experts from multiple countries and scientific fields, has issued its updated report on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WHO informed members of the press about this news via email sent out to subscribers of its media mailing list, to which US and Global News is also subscribed.
In the report published on Friday, SAGO states that while the available scientific evidence continues to support the hypothesis of a zoonotic spillover, either directly from bats or through an intermediate animal host, the possibility of a laboratory-associated incident cannot be ruled out due to missing information.
SAGO reiterates that the Government of China has not shared critical raw data, including genetic sequences from early COVID-19 patients, details on animals sold at markets in Wuhan and records related to biosafety conditions and work done in Wuhan laboratories.
The report published today is based on scientific publications (preprint and peer-reviewed), intelligence reports, environmental samples, animal testing data and genomic investigations. SAGO confirms that the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan played a significant role in early transmission and amplification of the virus, but current evidence does not conclusively determine whether this market was the spillover site or only an early amplification point. Environmental samples from the market tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and genetic material from susceptible animals, such as raccoon dogs, was detected alongside the virus’s genetic material. However, no infected animals were confirmed by direct testing.
SAGO reviews and updates the status of four main hypotheses: natural zoonotic introduction, an accidental laboratory-related event, introduction via cold chain products — ‘cold chain’ is a logistics system designed to preserve temperature-sensitive products, such as food and pharmaceuticals, by maintaining precise thermal conditions from origin to end use — and deliberate manipulation of the virus. The evidence remains strongest for zoonotic spillover. There is no scientific evidence supporting deliberate manipulation, and the cold chain hypothesis remains unsupported by new data.
SAGO members emphasize that a definitive conclusion on the origin of SARS-CoV-2 requires access to original data that WHO and SAGO have repeatedly requested. The group urged all countries, especially China, to share any relevant information. As stated by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak.”
SAGO’s work is guided by the WHO’s Global Framework for investigating emerging and re-emerging pathogens. The group continues to call for comprehensive studies into animal supply chains, farms supplying wildlife to Wuhan markets and further retrospective testing of stored human samples.
SAGO’s assessment also acknowledges that related coronaviruses have been found in bats in China and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, but these strains are too genetically distant to be direct ancestors of SARS-CoV-2. Studies have yet to identify an intermediate host or direct precursor virus.
The WHO and SAGO reaffirmed that understanding the origin of COVID-19 is both a scientific and ethical necessity to prevent future pandemics. SAGO says it will review any new evidence if made available.
SAGO’s full report can be read here.
Featured image shows an aerial view of WHO headquarters premises in Geneva, Switzerland – August 2020. Photo Attribution: © FIPOI
