WHO conclusion on the “source” of the coronavirus: A possible case of human-to-animal transmission

The conclusion that coronavirus transmission to humans through an animal that played the role of the mediator is a “probable to very probable” hypothesis seems to be the result of a joint investigation by experts World Health Organization and their Chinese colleagues.

Laboratory accident case remains “extremely unlikely”, according to the text of the finding held by the French Agency (AFP) and reiterates the announcements made by the team of experts from China at the end of the investigation.

According to the experts’ final conclusion, “given the literature on the role of farm animals as intermediate hosts for emerging diseases, further research is needed in a wider geographical area.”

Serious doubts have been expressed about the freedom of movement that the team of experts had in China to work effectively during its stay there for four weeks.

Experts choose the generally accepted theory of the natural transmission of the coronavirus from the original host animal, most likely bats, to humans., through an intermediate host, another animal, which has not been identified, as broadcast by the French Agency and relayed by the Athenian News Agency. The specialists hosted in China do not rule out transmission through frozen meat, a case actively pursued by Beijing.

In conclusion it is proposed to “continue the investigations” based on the hypotheses that are considered probable, but the possibility of transmitting the virus to humans during a laboratory accident is ruled out in advance.

The mission’s investigation into the origins of the coronavirus transmission to humans has been hampered by Beijing’s reluctance to allow international experts in both epidemiology and zoology to arrive.

In their conclusion, experts state that the inquiries into the Wuhan supply chain did not allow “evidence of the presence of infected animals to be found, but the analysis of supply chains provided useful information” for targeted research, particularly in neighboring areas.

Experts also urge not to ignore “products of animal origin from areas outside Southeast Asia”. They conclude that “research should be carried out in wider geographical areas and in a larger number of countries.”

You may also like