Two new research have come to the fore that conclusively links the origins of the COVID-19 virus to Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, indicating that the virus emerged from the animals sold in the market and that it was not a lab creation.

According to CNN, the studies were posted online as preprints in February and have now undergone peer review. They were published on Tuesday in the journal Science.

Though both studies took different approaches, they arrived at the same conclusion—the animal market in Wuhan was most likely the epicentre for the Covid.

What does the first study say?

In the first study, the Chinese scientists and evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey and his colleagues from the University of Arizona collated data by using mapping tools and a social media app to determine the spatial and environmental analysis.

They claimed that the coronavirus was probably present in live animals sold at the market in late 2019 but maintained that the "exact circumstances remain obscure."

“This is an indication that the virus started spreading in people who worked at the market but then started to spread into the local community,” Worobey said in a press conference, reports AP news agency.

The scientists claimed that the earliest COVID-19 cases emanated among market vendors who sold these live animals or people who shopped there. They believe that there were two separate viruses circulating in the animals that infected people.

"All eight COVID-19 cases detected prior to December 20 were from the western side of the market, where mammal species were also sold," the study says.

The second study

The other study, however, gives a microscopic analysis to determine when the first coronavirus infection jumped from animals to humans starting with the earliest sample genomes in December 2019 and extending through mid-February 2020.&nbsp;

According to this research, the earliest version of the coronavirus probably had two lineages, which scientists call A and B. It said that these lineages were the result of at least two cross-species transmission events into humans.

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The study claims that the first animal-to-human transmission probably came from lineage B and happened around November 18, 2019. They found the lineage B type in people who had a direct connection to the animal market.

They suggest that lineage A was introduced into humans from an animal within weeks or even days of the infection from lineage B. This lineage was found in samples from humans who lived or stayed close to the market.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-states-monkeypox-transmission-not-limited-to-gay-men-says-not-the-case-everywhere-501026" hreflang="en">WHO states monkeypox transmission not limited to gay men, says 'not the case everywhere'</a>

"These findings indicate that it is unlikely that SARS-CoV-2 circulated widely in humans prior to November 2019 and define the narrow window between when SARS-CoV-2 first jumped into humans and when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported," the study says.

&nbsp;"As with other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 emergence likely resulted from multiple zoonotic events."

The scientists concluded&nbsp;by hoping&nbsp;that they can determine exactly what animal may have become first infected and how to reduce the chances of future pandemics.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Two new research have come to the fore that conclusively links the origins of the COVID-19 virus to Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, indicating that the virus emerged from the animals sold in the market and that it was not a lab creation.

Two new research have come to the fore that conclusively links the origins of the COVID-19 virus to Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, indicating that the virus emerged from the animals sold in the market and that it was not a lab creation. According to CNN, the studies were posted online as preprints in February and have now undergone peer review. They were published on Tuesday in the journal Science. Though both studies took different approaches, they arrived at the same conclusion—the animal market in Wuhan was most likely the epicentre for the Covid. What does the first study say? In the first study, the Chinese scientists and evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey and his colleagues from the University of Arizona collated data by using mapping tools and a social media app to determine the spatial and environmental analysis. They claimed that the coronavirus was probably present in live animals sold at the market in late 2019 but maintained that the "exact circumstances remain obscure." “This is an indication that the virus started spreading in people who worked at the market but then started to spread into the local community,” Worobey said in a press conference, reports AP news agency. The scientists claimed that the earliest COVID-19 cases emanated among market vendors who sold these live animals or people who shopped there. They believe that there were two separate viruses circulating in the animals that infected people. "All eight COVID-19 cases detected prior to December 20 were from the western side of the market, where mammal species were also sold," the study says. The second study The other study, however, gives a microscopic analysis to determine when the first coronavirus infection jumped from animals to humans starting with the earliest sample genomes in December 2019 and extending through mid-February 2020. According to this research, the earliest version of the coronavirus probably had two lineages, which scientists call A and B. It said that these lineages were the result of at least two cross-species transmission events into humans. Also read | Strict restrictions in place at Chinese city of Wuhan amid rise in Covid cases The study claims that the first animal-to-human transmission probably came from lineage B and happened around November 18, 2019. They found the lineage B type in people who had a direct connection to the animal market. They suggest that lineage A was introduced into humans from an animal within weeks or even days of the infection from lineage B. This lineage was found in samples from humans who lived or stayed close to the market. Also read | WHO states monkeypox transmission not limited to gay men, says 'not the case everywhere' "These findings indicate that it is unlikely that SARS-CoV-2 circulated widely in humans prior to November 2019 and define the narrow window between when SARS-CoV-2 first jumped into humans and when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported," the study says. "As with other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 emergence likely resulted from multiple zoonotic events." The scientists concluded by hoping that they can determine exactly what animal may have become first infected and how to reduce the chances of future pandemics. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Two new studies confirm COVID-19 virus originated from Wuhan animal market

On Tuesday, two new studies were published in journal Science that said the Covid virus originated from China’s Wuhan animal market. Both pointed out that the virus was transmitted from live animals and infected the people, including the vendors, who were present in the market.

The latest studies attest to the long-held assertions that the virus originated in China as it was here the first cases emerged. COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019.&nbsp;

As the virus was taking its toll on the world over, causing deaths and destroying livelihoods, the call for a probe first came from the United States. Former president Donald Trump repeatedly accused China of engineering the virus from a lab in Wuhan. And when Joe Biden took over, he asked for a report on the origins of Covid-19, "including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident".

Soon, other countries joined in and sought a thorough probe to see how the virus emerged in the first place.

WHO's failure

But much of the larger criticism was directed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) which showed initial reluctance to declare Covid a public health emergency.

The WHO first learned of a “mysterious pneumonia outbreak” in Wuhan on December 31, 2019. But it was not until January 30, 2020, that WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern —the highest level of alarm under international health rules.

It was lambasted for allowing more than a year to pass before managing to send in a team of international experts to investigate the origins of the virus, and was accused of allowing China to dictate the parameters of their mission.

Amid intense criticism, WHO finally decided to send a team of legal experts to Wuhan to determine the origins of the virus

Did China pressure WHO to drop lab theory?

In February 2021, the WHO-led team travelled to China to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But according to reports, China refused to cooperate with the WHO team when the team sought raw data on the 174 identified cases of Covid-19 from Wuhan in December 2019.

Microbiologist Dominic Dwyer, who was one of the members&nbsp;of WHO visiting Wuhan, told Reuters and the New York Times that as a “standard practice” the team requested raw patient data from early cases.&nbsp;He added that his team only received a summary.

"That's why we've persisted to ask for that," Prof Dwyer said at the time. "Why that doesn't happen, I couldn't comment. Whether it's political or time or it's difficult... But whether there are any other reasons why the data isn't available, I don't know. One would only speculate."

China’s response

From the start, China has shown signs of apprehension whenever the Wuhan market was blamed for the Covid pandemic. When US and other countries sought probe and asked for data, Beijing accused the West of “blame shifting”.

Beijing has emphatically rejected the idea that coronavirus could have come from Wuhan, alleging that Washington is attempting to politicise its origins.

Moreover, it also pushed a counter-theory blaming the US for spreading the virus without any scientific evidence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strict-restrictions-in-place-at-chinese-city-of-wuhan-amid-rise-in-covid-cases-501003" hreflang="en">Strict restrictions in place at Chinese city of Wuhan amid rise in Covid cases</a>

On July 7 last year, Chinese ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian had blamed the US Army for introducing the virus in Wuhan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-new-studies-say-covid-19-virus-originated-from-wuhan-animal-market-501032" hreflang="en">Two new studies confirm Covid virus originated from Wuhan animal market</a>

“When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!” Zhao had written on Twitter.

Zhao did not offer any evidence for his suggestion that the US military might be to blame for the outbreak in China.

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On Tuesday, two new studies were published in journal Science that said the Covid virus originated from China’s Wuhan animal market. Both pointed out that the virus was transmitted from live animals and infected the people, including the vendors, who were present in the market.

On Tuesday, two new studies were published in journal Science that said the Covid virus originated from China’s Wuhan animal market. Both pointed out that the virus was transmitted from live animals and infected the people, including the vendors, who were present in the market. The latest studies attest to the long-held assertions that the virus originated in China as it was here the first cases emerged. COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019. As the virus was taking its toll on the world over, causing deaths and destroying livelihoods, the call for a probe first came from the United States. Former president Donald Trump repeatedly accused China of engineering the virus from a lab in Wuhan. And when Joe Biden took over, he asked for a report on the origins of Covid-19, "including whether it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or from a laboratory accident". Soon, other countries joined in and sought a thorough probe to see how the virus emerged in the first place. WHO's failure But much of the larger criticism was directed at the World Health Organisation (WHO) which showed initial reluctance to declare Covid a public health emergency. The WHO first learned of a “mysterious pneumonia outbreak” in Wuhan on December 31, 2019. But it was not until January 30, 2020, that WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern —the highest level of alarm under international health rules. It was lambasted for allowing more than a year to pass before managing to send in a team of international experts to investigate the origins of the virus, and was accused of allowing China to dictate the parameters of their mission. Amid intense criticism, WHO finally decided to send a team of legal experts to Wuhan to determine the origins of the virus Did China pressure WHO to drop lab theory? In February 2021, the WHO-led team travelled to China to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. But according to reports, China refused to cooperate with the WHO team when the team sought raw data on the 174 identified cases of Covid-19 from Wuhan in December 2019. Microbiologist Dominic Dwyer, who was one of the members of WHO visiting Wuhan, told Reuters and the New York Times that as a “standard practice” the team requested raw patient data from early cases. He added that his team only received a summary. "That's why we've persisted to ask for that," Prof Dwyer said at the time. "Why that doesn't happen, I couldn't comment. Whether it's political or time or it's difficult... But whether there are any other reasons why the data isn't available, I don't know. One would only speculate." China’s response From the start, China has shown signs of apprehension whenever the Wuhan market was blamed for the Covid pandemic. When US and other countries sought probe and asked for data, Beijing accused the West of “blame shifting”. Beijing has emphatically rejected the idea that coronavirus could have come from Wuhan, alleging that Washington is attempting to politicise its origins. Moreover, it also pushed a counter-theory blaming the US for spreading the virus without any scientific evidence. Also read | Strict restrictions in place at Chinese city of Wuhan amid rise in Covid cases On July 7 last year, Chinese ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian had blamed the US Army for introducing the virus in Wuhan. Also read | Two new studies confirm Covid virus originated from Wuhan animal market “When did patient zero begin in US? How many people are infected? What are the names of the hospitals? It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation!” Zhao had written on Twitter. Zhao did not offer any evidence for his suggestion that the US military might be to blame for the outbreak in China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

How China tried to spin Covid origins theory when world pointed at Wuhan

The Huanan seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, believed by many to be the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, is sealed behind a blue perimeter fence.

Huanan seafood market, believed to be the origin of Coronavirus; Watch report

The Huanan seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, believed by many to be the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, is sealed behind a blue perimeter fence. A large team of security staff chases away anyone who lingers.

Chinese authorities seal Huanan seafood market as Wuhan touts recovery