The head of China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to return to a "scientific, fair" position in tracing the origin of COVID-19.&nbsp;Speaking at a news conference, Shen Hongbing, the China CDC head warned the global health body against politicising the source of the COVID-19 virus or becoming a tool of another country. This comes as a&nbsp;team of Chinese researchers published a long-awaited analysis of samples collected more than three years ago from the Huanan seafood and wildlife market, which is often linked to the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 virus and the resulting pandemic. BBC reports that this is the first peer-reviewed study of the biological evidence gathered from the Huanan market in 2020.

As per the report, the research has revealed that swabs from the market which tested positive for coronavirus also contained genetic material from wild animals. Some scientists claim that this is further evidence that the deadly disease jumped species, from animals and into humans.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-records-over-6000-new-covid-cases-centre-to-hold-high-level-meet-580030">India records over 6,000 new Covid cases, Centre to hold high-level meet</a>

However, others have urged caution. They say that the interpretation of the findings should be done with caution and question why it took three years for this information to be made public.

By linking the virus to the market's animals, this research could potentially open new lines of inquiry into Covid origins, reports BBC.

Reportedly, the Chinese team had posted online an early version of the study back in February 2022. But they waited till recently to publish full genetic information that was contained in the samples gathered from the market.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-covid-variant-xbb116-leads-to-spike-in-cases-know-its-symptoms-and-precautions-580026">India: Covid variant XBB1.16 leads to spike in cases. Know its symptoms and precautions</a>

The published findings come as the lab leak theory which pins the origins of the coronavirus on a leak from a Wuhan-based lab gain traction among authorities in the US. On March 1, FBI director Christopher Wray even accused China of "doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate", and revealed that his bureau had been convinced of the lab leak theory "for quite some time now". However, the FBI has not made any of its findings public. Beijing continues to deny suggestions that the COVID-19 virus originated in a scientific facility.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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The head of China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to return to a "scientific, fair" position in tracing the origin of COVID-19.

The head of China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Saturday urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to return to a "scientific, fair" position in tracing the origin of COVID-19. Speaking at a news conference, Shen Hongbing, the China CDC head warned the global health body against politicising the source of the COVID-19 virus or becoming a tool of another country. This comes as a team of Chinese researchers published a long-awaited analysis of samples collected more than three years ago from the Huanan seafood and wildlife market, which is often linked to the outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 virus and the resulting pandemic. BBC reports that this is the first peer-reviewed study of the biological evidence gathered from the Huanan market in 2020. As per the report, the research has revealed that swabs from the market which tested positive for coronavirus also contained genetic material from wild animals. Some scientists claim that this is further evidence that the deadly disease jumped species, from animals and into humans. Also read | India records over 6,000 new Covid cases, Centre to hold high-level meet However, others have urged caution. They say that the interpretation of the findings should be done with caution and question why it took three years for this information to be made public. By linking the virus to the market's animals, this research could potentially open new lines of inquiry into Covid origins, reports BBC. Reportedly, the Chinese team had posted online an early version of the study back in February 2022. But they waited till recently to publish full genetic information that was contained in the samples gathered from the market. Also read | India: Covid variant XBB1.16 leads to spike in cases. Know its symptoms and precautions The published findings come as the lab leak theory which pins the origins of the coronavirus on a leak from a Wuhan-based lab gain traction among authorities in the US. On March 1, FBI director Christopher Wray even accused China of "doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate", and revealed that his bureau had been convinced of the lab leak theory "for quite some time now". However, the FBI has not made any of its findings public. Beijing continues to deny suggestions that the COVID-19 virus originated in a scientific facility. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China CDC warns WHO to maintain ‘scientific, fair’ investigation into Covid origins

United States President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law a bill that requires the release of intelligence on the potential links between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory in Wuhan, China. "We need to get to the bottom of Covid-19's origins..., including potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology," said Biden in a statement.

Biden said that with the implementation of the legislation, his "administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible."

Watch |&nbsp;US&nbsp;House votes unanimously to declassify Covid origins intel, bill sent to Biden

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He added that he shares the "Congress's goal of releasing as much information as possible" about Covid's origin.&nbsp;

Biden claimed that in 2021, after taking over the US' highest office, he had "directed the Intelligence Community to use every tool at its disposal to investigate".&nbsp;

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He also said his government will make available as much information as possible without causing any "harm to national security."

The coronavirus outbreak as per estimates began in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019. The virus killed almost seven million people worldwide.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-may-have-spread-from-infected-raccoon-dogs-sold-in-wuhan-seafood-market-report-573035">Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs sold in Wuhan seafood market: Report</a>

In spite of theories claiming that the Covid virus originated at a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Beijing continues to reject vehemently the possibility of a lab leak being behind the global pandemic.

Health officials and the US intelligence community, as per AFP, remain divided on the origins of the coronavirus. One origin theory claims that it randomly jumped the species barrier from animals to humans. Another claim is that Covid virus leaked during research undertaken at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

(With inputs from agencies)

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United States President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law a bill that requires the release of intelligence on the potential links between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

United States President Joe Biden on Monday signed into law a bill that requires the release of intelligence on the potential links between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory in Wuhan, China. "We need to get to the bottom of Covid-19's origins..., including potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology," said Biden in a statement. Biden said that with the implementation of the legislation, his "administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible." Watch | US House votes unanimously to declassify Covid origins intel, bill sent to Biden He added that he shares the "Congress's goal of releasing as much information as possible" about Covid's origin. Biden claimed that in 2021, after taking over the US' highest office, he had "directed the Intelligence Community to use every tool at its disposal to investigate". Also read | As Omicron continues to evolve, WHO updates how it tracks and names new Covid variants He also said his government will make available as much information as possible without causing any "harm to national security." The coronavirus outbreak as per estimates began in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019. The virus killed almost seven million people worldwide. Also read | Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs sold in Wuhan seafood market: Report In spite of theories claiming that the Covid virus originated at a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Beijing continues to reject vehemently the possibility of a lab leak being behind the global pandemic. Health officials and the US intelligence community, as per AFP, remain divided on the origins of the coronavirus. One origin theory claims that it randomly jumped the species barrier from animals to humans. Another claim is that Covid virus leaked during research undertaken at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

President Joe Biden signs law declassifying US intelligence on Covid virus origin

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on all the countries to reveal what they know about the origins of the COVID-19 virus after US government agencies claimed that a Chinese lab leak was responsible for the pandemic outbreak.

“If any country has information about the origins of the pandemic, it’s essential for that information to be shared with WHO and the international scientific community,” Ghebreyesus said on Friday, according to AFP news agency.

Tedros said that there was a moral imperative to find out how the pandemic began, for the sake of the millions who lost their lives to Covid and those living with long Covid.

The WHO chief asserted that while they did not want to play the blame game, they instead wanted to understand the origin of the pandemic so that they could&nbsp;prevent, prepare and respond better to future epidemics and pandemics.

While making the request, Tedros deplored the politicisation of the research of the Covid origin, saying that it was making the scientific work harder and the world less safe as a result.

"WHO has not abandoned any plans to identify the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic," he told reporters.

<h2>China warns Tesla CEO Elon Musk after Covid lab leak comments</h2>

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The health agency’s Covid-19 technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove, said they have reached out to the US mission in Geneva for more information.

“So far, however, they did not have access to the data on which the US reports were based,” Kerkhove was quoted as saying.

"It remains vital that that information is shared, to help move the scientific studies forward,” she added.

The WHO’s response comes after FBI director Christopher Wray told Fox News television on Tuesday that after assessing the source of the Covid pandemic the bureau believed that it was "most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan".

Wray was commenting in response to a report released earlier this week by the US Department of Energy which suggested that a Chinese lab leak was the most likely cause of the coronavirus outbreak.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on all the countries to reveal what they know about the origins of the COVID-19 virus after US government agencies claimed that a Chinese lab leak was responsible for the pandemic outbreak.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on all the countries to reveal what they know about the origins of the COVID-19 virus after US government agencies claimed that a Chinese lab leak was responsible for the pandemic outbreak. “If any country has information about the origins of the pandemic, it’s essential for that information to be shared with WHO and the international scientific community,” Ghebreyesus said on Friday, according to AFP news agency. Tedros said that there was a moral imperative to find out how the pandemic began, for the sake of the millions who lost their lives to Covid and those living with long Covid. The WHO chief asserted that while they did not want to play the blame game, they instead wanted to understand the origin of the pandemic so that they could prevent, prepare and respond better to future epidemics and pandemics. While making the request, Tedros deplored the politicisation of the research of the Covid origin, saying that it was making the scientific work harder and the world less safe as a result. "WHO has not abandoned any plans to identify the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic," he told reporters. China warns Tesla CEO Elon Musk after Covid lab leak comments The health agency’s Covid-19 technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove, said they have reached out to the US mission in Geneva for more information. “So far, however, they did not have access to the data on which the US reports were based,” Kerkhove was quoted as saying. "It remains vital that that information is shared, to help move the scientific studies forward,” she added. The WHO’s response comes after FBI director Christopher Wray told Fox News television on Tuesday that after assessing the source of the Covid pandemic the bureau believed that it was "most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan". Wray was commenting in response to a report released earlier this week by the US Department of Energy which suggested that a Chinese lab leak was the most likely cause of the coronavirus outbreak. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

WHO calls on countries to share information on Covid origins after US blames Chinese lab leak

Following the formation of the new advisory group on dangerous pathogens, the WHO now says 'this may be our last chance to know the origins of Covid 19 pandemic'.

W.H.O: Our best and last chance to probe covid origin