Undisclosed genetic data from a food market in Wuhan, China has been unearthed and is being used to support the zoonoses theory over the lab leak theory. These findings were presented to the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens, an expert body constituted by the WHO.
Major Highlights:
- Scientists discovered the data which consisted of genetic sequences posted by Chinese researchers in GISAID (a virology database).
- A Chinese team had reportedly collected samples from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which showed that several samples from the market containing the virus also had human genetic material in them.
- The main theoretical dualism that the world has contended with since the COVID-19 pandemic is the question of its origin — lab leak or zoonoses.
- There is now a large body of peer-reviewed scientific research consistent with the zoonotic origin of this pandemic.
- However, there is no credible, peer-reviewed research pointing to a lab leak.
- However, the critics of the animal transmission theory are demanding specifics and details on the zoonosis theory, while virologists say it would be impossible to get that level of data.
Zoonotic diseases:
- Zoonosis is an infectious disease that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans.
Zoonotic pathogens may be bacterial, viral, parasitic, or unconventional agents and can spread to humans through direct contact or food, water or the environment.
E.g., Salmonellosis, West Nile virus, Anthrax, Rabies, Bird flu, Malaria etc.