The Wuhan wet market is still the most likely hypothesis for the origin of the novel coronavirus, according to members of a World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation to China.

Peter Daszak, a member of the WHO-led team and a zoologist who specialises in hunting for viral origins in animals, said Wednesday that scientists would likely discover the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic within the next few years, after they pursue and zero in on an animal source for the deadly virus.

He added the team had identified a viable conduit between the wet market in Wuhan and to regions where the closest relatives of the novel coronavirus are found in bats, the Evening Standard reported.

"It provides a link and a pathway by which these viruses could convincingly spill over from wildlife into either people or animals farmed in the region and then shipped into the market by some means," he said.

Daszak said that the theory that the virus crossed into domesticated or farmed animals and got into the Wuhan market was the scenario considered most likely by WHO scientists and their Chinese counterparts.

The scientists said they found no evidence to support theories that the disease leaked from the three virology labs in Wuhan and they had been given access to all three, the Evening Standard report added.

Four scientists who joined the month-long mission earlier this year said they had found no evidence to support theories that the outbreak was caused by an accidental lab leak.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-to-scrap-interim-report-on-covid-19-origin-gathered-in-wuhan-report-368128">Also read |&nbsp;WHO to scrap interim report on COVID-19 origin gathered in Wuhan: Report</a>

The Huanan market there was the site of the first known outbreak of the coronavirus in December 2019.

International team members learned on the trip that meat from animals known to carry coronaviruses belonging to the same family as the pandemic virus were sold in the Huanan market, Daszak said as per the Wall Street Journal.

During a press conference last month, Peter Ben Embarek, the head of the WHO mission in Wuhan, had stated four hypotheses on how the virus spread but reiterated that "laboratory incident hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus into the human population".

"Our initial findings suggest that introduction through an intermediary host species is the most likely passway and one that will require more studies and more specific targeted research ... The findings suggest that a laboratory incident hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus into the human population," the WHO expert had said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-scores-a-public-relations-win-after-who-mission-to-wuhan-362895">Also read |&nbsp;China scores a public relations win after WHO mission to Wuhan</a>

The findings by the WHO were slammed by the United States, raising concerns over the possibility of the Chinese government's interference in the WHO's recent investigation.

(with inputs)

The Wuhan wet market is still the most likely hypothesis for the origin of the novel coronavirus, according to members of a World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation to China.

The Wuhan wet market is still the most likely hypothesis for the origin of the novel coronavirus, according to members of a World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation to China. Peter Daszak, a member of the WHO-led team and a zoologist who specialises in hunting for viral origins in animals, said Wednesday that scientists would likely discover the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic within the next few years, after they pursue and zero in on an animal source for the deadly virus. He added the team had identified a viable conduit between the wet market in Wuhan and to regions where the closest relatives of the novel coronavirus are found in bats, the Evening Standard reported. "It provides a link and a pathway by which these viruses could convincingly spill over from wildlife into either people or animals farmed in the region and then shipped into the market by some means," he said. Daszak said that the theory that the virus crossed into domesticated or farmed animals and got into the Wuhan market was the scenario considered most likely by WHO scientists and their Chinese counterparts. The scientists said they found no evidence to support theories that the disease leaked from the three virology labs in Wuhan and they had been given access to all three, the Evening Standard report added. Four scientists who joined the month-long mission earlier this year said they had found no evidence to support theories that the outbreak was caused by an accidental lab leak. Also read | WHO to scrap interim report on COVID-19 origin gathered in Wuhan: Report The Huanan market there was the site of the first known outbreak of the coronavirus in December 2019. International team members learned on the trip that meat from animals known to carry coronaviruses belonging to the same family as the pandemic virus were sold in the Huanan market, Daszak said as per the Wall Street Journal. During a press conference last month, Peter Ben Embarek, the head of the WHO mission in Wuhan, had stated four hypotheses on how the virus spread but reiterated that "laboratory incident hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus into the human population". "Our initial findings suggest that introduction through an intermediary host species is the most likely passway and one that will require more studies and more specific targeted research ... The findings suggest that a laboratory incident hypothesis is extremely unlikely to explain the introduction of the virus into the human population," the WHO expert had said. Also read | China scores a public relations win after WHO mission to Wuhan The findings by the WHO were slammed by the United States, raising concerns over the possibility of the Chinese government's interference in the WHO's recent investigation. (with inputs)

WHO probe points to Wuhan wet market as source of novel coronavirus

A World Health Organisation (WHO) team investigating the origins of the novel coronavirus is planning to scrap an interim report on its recent mission to China.

The latest development has come amid mounting tensions between Beijing and Washington over the investigation and an appeal from one international group of scientists for a new probe, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The group of two dozen scientists have, in an open letter, called for a new international inquiry. They say the WHO team that last month completed a mission to Wuhan -- the Chinese city where the first known cases were found -- had insufficient access to adequately investigate possible sources of the virus.

Their appeal comes close on the heels of the US saying it is waiting to scrutinise the report on the Wuhan mission.

The US has also urged China to release all relevant data, including on the first confirmed infections in December 2019, and potential earlier ones.

Beijing, meanwhile, has pressed for similar WHO-led missions to other countries, including the US, to investigate whether the virus could have originated outside China and spread to Wuhan via frozen food packaging.

The leader of the WHO team has said that studies should be carried out to find if the virus was imported into China, adding it was “extremely unlikely” that the virus leaked from a lab.

The findings of the WHO report came as a relief for the Chinese who have repeatedly denied owning up to any responsibility for the origination of the virus.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) team investigating the origins of the novel coronavirus is planning to scrap an interim report on its recent mission to China. The latest development has come amid mounting tensions between Beijing and Washington over the investigation and an appeal from one international group of scientists for a new probe, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) team investigating the origins of the novel coronavirus is planning to scrap an interim report on its recent mission to China. The latest development has come amid mounting tensions between Beijing and Washington over the investigation and an appeal from one international group of scientists for a new probe, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The group of two dozen scientists have, in an open letter, called for a new international inquiry. They say the WHO team that last month completed a mission to Wuhan -- the Chinese city where the first known cases were found -- had insufficient access to adequately investigate possible sources of the virus. Their appeal comes close on the heels of the US saying it is waiting to scrutinise the report on the Wuhan mission. The US has also urged China to release all relevant data, including on the first confirmed infections in December 2019, and potential earlier ones. Beijing, meanwhile, has pressed for similar WHO-led missions to other countries, including the US, to investigate whether the virus could have originated outside China and spread to Wuhan via frozen food packaging. The leader of the WHO team has said that studies should be carried out to find if the virus was imported into China, adding it was “extremely unlikely” that the virus leaked from a lab. The findings of the WHO report came as a relief for the Chinese who have repeatedly denied owning up to any responsibility for the origination of the virus.

WHO investigators to scrap interim report on probe of coronavirus origin

The United States has -- yet again -- expressed concern over China's early response to the Covid-19 crisis, in the aftermath of a World Health Organisation team of inquiry returning from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic.

The WHO probe team suggested the coronavirus might have originated with frozen seafood products, not from a Chinese lab as some have suggested.

The US, to this end, said it wants Beijing to "make available its data from the earliest days of the outbreak."&nbsp;

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday "deep respect" for the WHO -- which the US is rejoining after the Trump administration quit it to protest its virus response -- but said protecting its credibility is "a paramount priority."

Beijing has repeatedly floated the theory that the virus was instead brought to China through packaging on products such as frozen seafood -- a theory the WHO team did not rule out.

But, Sullivan added, "re-engaging the WHO also means holding it to the highest standards. And at this critical moment, protecting the&nbsp;WHO's credibility is a paramount priority."

Earlier in the day, one of the team's investigators complicated efforts to understand how the outbreak began by claiming China refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to the team.

China's refusal to hand over raw data on the early COVID-19 cases was reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-refused-who-raw-covid-19-data-on-early-cases-report-363361">Also read |&nbsp;China refused WHO raw COVID-19 data on early cases: Report&nbsp;</a>

A summary of the team's findings could be released as early as next week, the WHO said on Friday.

The probe had been plagued by delay, concern over access and bickering between Beijing and Washington, which accused China of hiding the extent of the initial outbreak and criticised the terms of the visit, under which Chinese experts conducted the first phase of research.

The team, which arrived in China in January and spent four weeks looking into the origins of the outbreak, was limited to visits organised by their Chinese hosts and prevented from contact with community members, due to health restrictions. The first two weeks were spent in hotel quarantine.

(with inputs from agencies)

The United States has -- yet again -- expressed concern over China's early response to the Covid-19 crisis, in the aftermath of a World Health Organisation team of inquiry returning from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic.

The United States has -- yet again -- expressed concern over China's early response to the Covid-19 crisis, in the aftermath of a World Health Organisation team of inquiry returning from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic. The WHO probe team suggested the coronavirus might have originated with frozen seafood products, not from a Chinese lab as some have suggested. The US, to this end, said it wants Beijing to "make available its data from the earliest days of the outbreak." National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday "deep respect" for the WHO -- which the US is rejoining after the Trump administration quit it to protest its virus response -- but said protecting its credibility is "a paramount priority." Beijing has repeatedly floated the theory that the virus was instead brought to China through packaging on products such as frozen seafood -- a theory the WHO team did not rule out. But, Sullivan added, "re-engaging the WHO also means holding it to the highest standards. And at this critical moment, protecting the WHO's credibility is a paramount priority." Earlier in the day, one of the team's investigators complicated efforts to understand how the outbreak began by claiming China refused to give raw data on early COVID-19 cases to the team. China's refusal to hand over raw data on the early COVID-19 cases was reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times on Friday. Also read | China refused WHO raw COVID-19 data on early cases: Report A summary of the team's findings could be released as early as next week, the WHO said on Friday. The probe had been plagued by delay, concern over access and bickering between Beijing and Washington, which accused China of hiding the extent of the initial outbreak and criticised the terms of the visit, under which Chinese experts conducted the first phase of research. The team, which arrived in China in January and spent four weeks looking into the origins of the outbreak, was limited to visits organised by their Chinese hosts and prevented from contact with community members, due to health restrictions. The first two weeks were spent in hotel quarantine. (with inputs from agencies)

US cites 'deep concerns' about WHO Covid report, seeks more information from China

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them.

Chinese national Zhang Hai lost his father to the Wuhan virus last year when the outbreak was at its peak in China. Zhang wants the WHO investigators in Wuhan to meet the kin of the virus victims but Chinese authorities have been pressuring people like Zhang to keep quiet.

At least 80 to 100 citizens were using a WeChat group to discuss how officials in Wuhan can be held accountable but, a couple of weeks back the WeChat group was deleted without explanation.

"Our group for relatives (of Wuhan’s coronavirus dead on WeChat) was monitored by Chinese authorities all the time. Why did they forcibly demolish (the group)? This shows that they (Chinese authorities) are very nervous. They are afraid that these families will get in touch with with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-denied-who-officials-initial-coronavirus-data-last-year-359746">WHO</a> experts," Zhang Hai said.

For the last one year, Zhang has been reaching out to relatives in order to galvanise a movement and to hold Chinese officials accountable but any such demand has been crushed by the Chinese state.

In the past year, the victims have tried to sue the Wuhan authorities but the court rejected the lawsuits. Chinese officials interrogated Zhang and others on several occasions with some victims reportedly threatened.

Zhang Hai and others are now making a desperate appeal to the WHO team since they feel any investigation into the origins of the virus will be incomplete without testimony from the victims.

"If the WHO expert team dare to listen to our experiences, the relatives of the coronavirus dead, and want to search for the truth, I can go back to Wuhan to meet them but if they don't dare to meet relatives of coronavirus dead, I would think that the WHO expert team’s investigation in Wuhan is just a show, a mere formality to fool the world," &nbsp;Zhang added.

The world is watching how the WHO investigators conduct their probe in Wuhan. The pandemic began more than a year ago but still the world does not know the truth about the virus origin and the efforts to find answers have been repeatedly delayed.

Anthony Fauci, now the chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden also believes China wasn't transparent.

"I think it's very important because there are still things that we don't know right now about the origin. Understanding the origin would really be important and we don't know it. Now, it's a big black box, which is awful. We are over a year into it and we still don't appreciate it," Fauci said.

As the WHO team kicks off the probe, Beijing stepped up its efforts to muddy the waters. It has been pushing conspiracy theories and stepping up propaganda to blame other countries for the pandemic.

WHO member states must step up and call out China's nefarious designs to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them.

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them. Chinese national Zhang Hai lost his father to the Wuhan virus last year when the outbreak was at its peak in China. Zhang wants the WHO investigators in Wuhan to meet the kin of the virus victims but Chinese authorities have been pressuring people like Zhang to keep quiet. At least 80 to 100 citizens were using a WeChat group to discuss how officials in Wuhan can be held accountable but, a couple of weeks back the WeChat group was deleted without explanation. "Our group for relatives (of Wuhan’s coronavirus dead on WeChat) was monitored by Chinese authorities all the time. Why did they forcibly demolish (the group)? This shows that they (Chinese authorities) are very nervous. They are afraid that these families will get in touch with with the WHO experts," Zhang Hai said. For the last one year, Zhang has been reaching out to relatives in order to galvanise a movement and to hold Chinese officials accountable but any such demand has been crushed by the Chinese state. In the past year, the victims have tried to sue the Wuhan authorities but the court rejected the lawsuits. Chinese officials interrogated Zhang and others on several occasions with some victims reportedly threatened. Zhang Hai and others are now making a desperate appeal to the WHO team since they feel any investigation into the origins of the virus will be incomplete without testimony from the victims. "If the WHO expert team dare to listen to our experiences, the relatives of the coronavirus dead, and want to search for the truth, I can go back to Wuhan to meet them but if they don't dare to meet relatives of coronavirus dead, I would think that the WHO expert team’s investigation in Wuhan is just a show, a mere formality to fool the world," Zhang added. The world is watching how the WHO investigators conduct their probe in Wuhan. The pandemic began more than a year ago but still the world does not know the truth about the virus origin and the efforts to find answers have been repeatedly delayed. Anthony Fauci, now the chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden also believes China wasn't transparent. "I think it's very important because there are still things that we don't know right now about the origin. Understanding the origin would really be important and we don't know it. Now, it's a big black box, which is awful. We are over a year into it and we still don't appreciate it," Fauci said. As the WHO team kicks off the probe, Beijing stepped up its efforts to muddy the waters. It has been pushing conspiracy theories and stepping up propaganda to blame other countries for the pandemic. WHO member states must step up and call out China's nefarious designs to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

Relatives of Wuhan virus victims demand meeting with WHO officials