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

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

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

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

Wuhan's 'wet markets' struggle after virus lockdown