Nearly 5 years after the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, researchers and intelligence agencies continued to tussle over the main scenarios for Covid-19 origin. A new study has supported the theory linked to the Wuhan market.

New Study Supports Covid-19 Origin Theory Linked to Wuhan Market

New research is claiming to be the strongest proof that the Covid virus jumped from animals to humans. The study is based on analysis of samples collected from an animal market in Wuhan, China, from the initial days of the pandemic.&nbsp;

The samples discovered evidence of the novel coronavirus' presence along with genetic material in various animals, including raccoon dogs which are highly susceptible to the virus, as per a report published on the Zenodo.org open science website on Monday. &nbsp;

According to the report, in a few samples, more animal genetic material was found compared to human genetic material which indicates the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals.&nbsp;

"The sequences showed that raccoon dogs and other animals susceptible to the coronavirus were present in the market and may have been infected, providing a new clue in the chain of transmission that eventually reached humans," the report stated.

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"This adds to the body of evidence identifying the Huanan market as the spillover location of Sars-CoV-2 and the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic," it added.&nbsp;

The virus was identified for the first time in Wuhan in December 2019 as many suspected the Huanan live animal market can be the source of pandemic. 
The study has till now not been reviewed by the scientific community. China has been called out by the World Health Organization for fully sharing the genetic data which was analysed by the researchers.&nbsp;

“I worry a lot about our jumping on tidbits that are incomplete and cannot be verified,” stated David Relman, who works as a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. “I think we need to take a deep breath and insist on the kind of process and science that any important issue, especially this one, deserves," he added.&nbsp;

This is the latest report that has emerged from the researchers' frantic search for answers on how the pandemic started. On Monday, a bill was signed into law by US President Joe Biden to declassify intelligence on COVID-19's origin.&nbsp;

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In a press conference on Friday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “These data do not provide a definitive answer to the question of how the pandemic began but every piece of data is important in moving us closer to that answer.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Goldstein, a virologist at the University of Utah who participated in the analysis, said, “It’s the first time we’ve been able to identify a genetic fingerprint of the virus and a potential intermediate host in the exact same place. It’s completely consistent and expected from what you’d see in a zoonotic spillover event.”&nbsp;

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the country has "always supported and participated in global scientific co-operation on origin tracing" and it will continue to do so, but added that the international scientific community should also share "their research on the virus originating from other regions of the world with China".

(With inputs from agencies)

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New research is claiming to be the strongest proof that the Covid virus jumped from animals to humans. The study is based on analysis of samples collected from an animal market in Wuhan, China, from the initial days of the pandemic.

New research is claiming to be the strongest proof that the Covid virus jumped from animals to humans. The study is based on analysis of samples collected from an animal market in Wuhan, China, from the initial days of the pandemic. The samples discovered evidence of the novel coronavirus' presence along with genetic material in various animals, including raccoon dogs which are highly susceptible to the virus, as per a report published on the Zenodo.org open science website on Monday. According to the report, in a few samples, more animal genetic material was found compared to human genetic material which indicates the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals. "The sequences showed that raccoon dogs and other animals susceptible to the coronavirus were present in the market and may have been infected, providing a new clue in the chain of transmission that eventually reached humans," the report stated. ALSO READ | China calls ICC to avoid 'double standards' after Putin's arrest warrant "This adds to the body of evidence identifying the Huanan market as the spillover location of Sars-CoV-2 and the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic," it added. The virus was identified for the first time in Wuhan in December 2019 as many suspected the Huanan live animal market can be the source of pandemic. The study has till now not been reviewed by the scientific community. China has been called out by the World Health Organization for fully sharing the genetic data which was analysed by the researchers. “I worry a lot about our jumping on tidbits that are incomplete and cannot be verified,” stated David Relman, who works as a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University. “I think we need to take a deep breath and insist on the kind of process and science that any important issue, especially this one, deserves," he added. This is the latest report that has emerged from the researchers' frantic search for answers on how the pandemic started. On Monday, a bill was signed into law by US President Joe Biden to declassify intelligence on COVID-19's origin. WATCH | Wary West tries to decode China's motives in Ukraine-Russia war In a press conference on Friday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “These data do not provide a definitive answer to the question of how the pandemic began but every piece of data is important in moving us closer to that answer.” Meanwhile, Stephen Goldstein, a virologist at the University of Utah who participated in the analysis, said, “It’s the first time we’ve been able to identify a genetic fingerprint of the virus and a potential intermediate host in the exact same place. It’s completely consistent and expected from what you’d see in a zoonotic spillover event.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the country has "always supported and participated in global scientific co-operation on origin tracing" and it will continue to do so, but added that the international scientific community should also share "their research on the virus originating from other regions of the world with China". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Traces of COVID-19 in Wuhan's animal market spark debate over origin of pandemic

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

Two new studies into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic have once again pointed the finger towards the Wuhan wet market in China. Scientists say they have compelling evidence to back claims that the Huanan seafood and wildlife market was at the center of the pandemic.

Two peer reviewed studies on origin of COVID-19 published

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.

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>

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)

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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

As the World Health Organization(WHO) investigates the origin of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/face-shields-and-visors-can-spread-coronavirus-study-349974">coronavirus</a> in China, the South China Morning Post(SCMP) published the leaked "floor plan"&nbsp; of the Huanan market in Wuhan where the COVID-19 pandemic allegedly began.

Watch:

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The report showed "colour-coded plan" of data collected by &nbsp;Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January where the first infection is reported to have taken place including the "653 stalls" where the virus first took place.

China had reported the first case of the virus to the WHO on December 31, 2019 with the Huanan seafood wholesale market becoming the prime target of investigation by&nbsp;authorities. The market was famous for selling everything from seafood and vegetables to wild animals in hundreds of stalls numbering well over 1,000.

The SCMP said experts cited "lack of transparency" about what other information was gathered by scientists and investigators in China. The report said Chinese officials had later "ruled out" the market as the place where the virus first infected humans, citing medical investigations of the facilities.

The report said Chinese scientists sent a document to the WHO in which "none of the frozen carcasses tested positive, while 69 of 842 environmental samples did." &nbsp;

"Beyond these numbers, little information is available about which animals were sampled and the extent of follow-up studies on humans and animals linked to the market."

"China has not disclosed if live animals were among those sampled," the report added.

SCMP highlighted that The Lancet medical journal report had found that Wuhan’s market was linked to about "two-thirds of the first 41 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modernas-covid-19-vaccine-shows-no-specific-safety-concerns-says-us-fda-349983">COVID-19 </a>cases identified in the city" with live animals such as bamboo rats, badgers and deer being sold at the market and that "it seemed a likely place for a pathogen to leap species", however it said that "three of the first four COVID-19 patients had no evident ties to the market."

The WHO health investigators need to find out how the virus was transmitted including understand the drainage and sewage systems at the Wuhan market to know&nbsp;the "transmission pathway".

The report said very little is still known about the investigations into&nbsp;the COVID-19 outbreak in the market due to lack of "analytical epidemiological study among vendors and shoppers".

 
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As the World Health Organization(WHO) investigates the origin of the coronavirus in China, the South China Morning Post(SCMP) published the leaked "floor plan" of the Huanan market in Wuhan where the COVID-19 pandemic allegedly began.

As the World Health Organization(WHO) investigates the origin of the coronavirus in China, the South China Morning Post(SCMP) published the leaked "floor plan" of the Huanan market in Wuhan where the COVID-19 pandemic allegedly began. Watch: The report showed "colour-coded plan" of data collected by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January where the first infection is reported to have taken place including the "653 stalls" where the virus first took place. China had reported the first case of the virus to the WHO on December 31, 2019 with the Huanan seafood wholesale market becoming the prime target of investigation by authorities. The market was famous for selling everything from seafood and vegetables to wild animals in hundreds of stalls numbering well over 1,000. The SCMP said experts cited "lack of transparency" about what other information was gathered by scientists and investigators in China. The report said Chinese officials had later "ruled out" the market as the place where the virus first infected humans, citing medical investigations of the facilities. The report said Chinese scientists sent a document to the WHO in which "none of the frozen carcasses tested positive, while 69 of 842 environmental samples did." "Beyond these numbers, little information is available about which animals were sampled and the extent of follow-up studies on humans and animals linked to the market." "China has not disclosed if live animals were among those sampled," the report added. SCMP highlighted that The Lancet medical journal report had found that Wuhan’s market was linked to about "two-thirds of the first 41 COVID-19 cases identified in the city" with live animals such as bamboo rats, badgers and deer being sold at the market and that "it seemed a likely place for a pathogen to leap species", however it said that "three of the first four COVID-19 patients had no evident ties to the market." The WHO health investigators need to find out how the virus was transmitted including understand the drainage and sewage systems at the Wuhan market to know the "transmission pathway". The report said very little is still known about the investigations into the COVID-19 outbreak in the market due to lack of "analytical epidemiological study among vendors and shoppers".

After accessing leaked 'map' of Wuhan market, report discloses China's 'lack of transparency' in COVID-19 investigation

While the world is focusing on how China plans to contain the Wuhan Virus outbreak - it is worth considering what would happen if the epidemic continues to spread. Is the world prepared to handle a major global outbreak?

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus: The global picture of the outbreak

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