A Chinese scientist has come up with a new theory on the origins of Covid-19. He has claimed that the Covid-19 virus may have originated in humans. Tong Yigang of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology explained that the genetic sequences of viral samples taken from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan were “almost identical” to those of patients infected with the coronavirus. He says that this likely suggests that Covid-19 may have originated from humans.

The latest claim deals a massive blow to the theory that the virus jumped from animals to humans at the Wuhan market. Tong was speaking at a press conference held by the Chinese State Council regarding research into the origins of the virus.

At the event, a Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researcher, Zhou Lei, said that the place where Covid-19 was first discovered might not have necessarily been the place where the virus originated.&nbsp;

He also called for global scientific collaboration to trace the origins of the virus.&nbsp;

Tong said that scientists took more than 1,300 environmental and frozen animal samples from the market between January 2020 and March 2020. They then isolated three strains of the virus from the environmental samples.&nbsp;

Tong added that evidence to support recent studies that suggest racoon dogs were the origin of the Covid-19 virus is also not sufficient to fully prove that racoon dogs were the reason for the virus.&nbsp;

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Dozens of people who were infected by the virus in the initial days had visited the Wuhan market or were linked to the stalls there. The wet market is infamous for selling bats, raccoon dogs, pangolins and other exotic animals which are known for carrying similar coronaviruses.&nbsp;

A new paper on the origins of the virus also thwarts earlier claims by Chinese virologists that the virus naturally emerged in the market. "The evidence provided in this study is not sufficient to support such a hypothesis...," the CDC researchers said.

"The possibility of the potential introduction of the virus to the market through infected humans, or cold chain products, cannot be ruled out yet."

Researchers have now argued that humans brought the virus to the market, from where it spread as the market acted like a super-spreader.&nbsp;

Differences over the origins of Covid-19

Scientists and governments across the world have been long demanding data to understand precisely what caused the Covid-19 virus. A few days back, World Health Organization (WHO) had once again slammed China for not sharing enough data on the issue.&nbsp;

WHO said that it was sure China had far more data that could shed light on the origins of Covid-19.

"Without full access to the information that China has... all hypotheses are on the table," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva.

The origins of Covid-19 have been a contentious issue ever since the virus emerged. The scientific community and even different US government agencies have been split between a theory that the virus jumped naturally to humans from animals while the other that says the virus likely leaked from a Wuhan laboratory.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Chinese scientist has come up with a new theory on the origins of Covid-19. He has claimed that the Covid-19 virus may have originated in humans. Tong Yigang of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology explained that the genetic sequences of viral samples taken from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan were “almost identical” to those of patients infected with the coronavirus.

A Chinese scientist has come up with a new theory on the origins of Covid-19. He has claimed that the Covid-19 virus may have originated in humans. Tong Yigang of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology explained that the genetic sequences of viral samples taken from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan were “almost identical” to those of patients infected with the coronavirus. He says that this likely suggests that Covid-19 may have originated from humans. The latest claim deals a massive blow to the theory that the virus jumped from animals to humans at the Wuhan market. Tong was speaking at a press conference held by the Chinese State Council regarding research into the origins of the virus. At the event, a Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researcher, Zhou Lei, said that the place where Covid-19 was first discovered might not have necessarily been the place where the virus originated. He also called for global scientific collaboration to trace the origins of the virus. Tong said that scientists took more than 1,300 environmental and frozen animal samples from the market between January 2020 and March 2020. They then isolated three strains of the virus from the environmental samples. Tong added that evidence to support recent studies that suggest racoon dogs were the origin of the Covid-19 virus is also not sufficient to fully prove that racoon dogs were the reason for the virus. Also Read | India: Covid variant XBB1.16 leads to spike in cases. Know its symptoms and precautions Dozens of people who were infected by the virus in the initial days had visited the Wuhan market or were linked to the stalls there. The wet market is infamous for selling bats, raccoon dogs, pangolins and other exotic animals which are known for carrying similar coronaviruses. A new paper on the origins of the virus also thwarts earlier claims by Chinese virologists that the virus naturally emerged in the market. "The evidence provided in this study is not sufficient to support such a hypothesis...," the CDC researchers said. "The possibility of the potential introduction of the virus to the market through infected humans, or cold chain products, cannot be ruled out yet." Researchers have now argued that humans brought the virus to the market, from where it spread as the market acted like a super-spreader. Differences over the origins of Covid-19 Scientists and governments across the world have been long demanding data to understand precisely what caused the Covid-19 virus. A few days back, World Health Organization (WHO) had once again slammed China for not sharing enough data on the issue. WHO said that it was sure China had far more data that could shed light on the origins of Covid-19. "Without full access to the information that China has... all hypotheses are on the table," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva. The origins of Covid-19 have been a contentious issue ever since the virus emerged. The scientific community and even different US government agencies have been split between a theory that the virus jumped naturally to humans from animals while the other that says the virus likely leaked from a Wuhan laboratory. (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.

Did humans bring Covid-19 to Wuhan market? A Chinese scientist claims so

An international team of experts has found out that Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs that were being illegally sold at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in China's Wuhan. According to a report by The Atlantic on Thursday (March 16), a new analysis of genetic sequences collected from the market shows that these dogs sold at the venue could have been carrying and possibly shedding the virus at the end of 2019.&nbsp;

It is some of the strongest support yet, experts told the magazine, that the pandemic began when SARS-CoV-2 hopped from animals to humans, rather than in an accident among scientists experimenting with viruses. The report said that the new analysis may offer some of the clearest and most compelling evidence that the world would ever get in support of an animal origin for Covid.&nbsp;

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As per the report, genetic sequences were pulled out of swabs taken in and near market stalls around the beginning of the pandemic. They represented the first bits of raw data that researchers outside of China's academic institutions and their direct collaborators had access to. The data was posted by researchers affiliated with the country's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on GISAID,&nbsp;which is an open-access genomic database.&nbsp;

Scientists in North America, Australia and Europe spotted the sequences, downloaded them and started an analysis. An earlier analysis released in February last year asserted that no animal host of SARS-CoV-2 could be deduced. And any motes of Covid at the market, "had most likely been chauffeured in by infected humans, rather than wild creatures for sale," it said.&nbsp;

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However, the new analysis led by three researchers,&nbsp;Kristian Andersen, Edward Holmes, and Michael Worobey,&nbsp;shows that this might not be the case, The Atlantic reported.

After downloading the data from GISAD, the researchers and their collaborators found out that several market samples which tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were also coming back chock-full of animal genetic material—much of which was a match for the common raccoon dog.&nbsp;

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Because of how the samples were gathered and since viruses cannot persist by themselves in the environment, the scientists think their findings could indicate the presence of a Covid-infected raccoon dog in spots where the swabs were taken. Kristian Andersen, one of the researchers, told The Atlantic that raccoon dogs were not tested at the market and were likely removed prior to the authorities coming in.&nbsp;

Andersen underscored that the findings are not direct evidence of infected dogs at the market. “Do I believe there were infected animals at the market? Yes, I do. Does this new data add to that evidence base? Yes," he said.&nbsp;

Raccoon dogs, which are commonly bred for sale in China, are already known to be one of many mammal species that can easily catch and spread Covid.&nbsp;

The report further said that the findings do not rule out the possibility that other animals may have been carrying SARS-CoV-2 at Huanan. The dogs, if they were infected, might not be the creatures who passed the pathogen to human beings. This would mean the search for Covid's "many wild hosts" would need to plod on.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
 
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An international team of experts has found out that Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs that were being illegally sold at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in China's Wuhan.

An international team of experts has found out that Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs that were being illegally sold at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in China's Wuhan. According to a report by The Atlantic on Thursday (March 16), a new analysis of genetic sequences collected from the market shows that these dogs sold at the venue could have been carrying and possibly shedding the virus at the end of 2019. It is some of the strongest support yet, experts told the magazine, that the pandemic began when SARS-CoV-2 hopped from animals to humans, rather than in an accident among scientists experimenting with viruses. The report said that the new analysis may offer some of the clearest and most compelling evidence that the world would ever get in support of an animal origin for Covid. ALSO READ | As Omicron continues to evolve, WHO updates how it tracks and names new Covid variants As per the report, genetic sequences were pulled out of swabs taken in and near market stalls around the beginning of the pandemic. They represented the first bits of raw data that researchers outside of China's academic institutions and their direct collaborators had access to. The data was posted by researchers affiliated with the country's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on GISAID, which is an open-access genomic database. Scientists in North America, Australia and Europe spotted the sequences, downloaded them and started an analysis. An earlier analysis released in February last year asserted that no animal host of SARS-CoV-2 could be deduced. And any motes of Covid at the market, "had most likely been chauffeured in by infected humans, rather than wild creatures for sale," it said. ALSO READ | 3 years on since Covid 'pandemic', WHO chief says finding origins a 'moral imperative' However, the new analysis led by three researchers, Kristian Andersen, Edward Holmes, and Michael Worobey, shows that this might not be the case, The Atlantic reported. After downloading the data from GISAD, the researchers and their collaborators found out that several market samples which tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were also coming back chock-full of animal genetic material—much of which was a match for the common raccoon dog. ALSO READ | New Covid variant identified in Israel. Here's all you need to know Because of how the samples were gathered and since viruses cannot persist by themselves in the environment, the scientists think their findings could indicate the presence of a Covid-infected raccoon dog in spots where the swabs were taken. Kristian Andersen, one of the researchers, told The Atlantic that raccoon dogs were not tested at the market and were likely removed prior to the authorities coming in. Andersen underscored that the findings are not direct evidence of infected dogs at the market. “Do I believe there were infected animals at the market? Yes, I do. Does this new data add to that evidence base? Yes," he said. Raccoon dogs, which are commonly bred for sale in China, are already known to be one of many mammal species that can easily catch and spread Covid. The report further said that the findings do not rule out the possibility that other animals may have been carrying SARS-CoV-2 at Huanan. The dogs, if they were infected, might not be the creatures who passed the pathogen to human beings. This would mean the search for Covid's "many wild hosts" would need to plod on. (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.

Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs sold in Wuhan seafood market: Report

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Did humans bring Covid-19 to Wuhan market? A Chinese scientist claims so

Covid may have spread from infected raccoon dogs sold in Wuhan seafood market: Report