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Corona pandemic: biologist provides further evidence of the actual origin

2021-11-19T11:40:33.624Z


The corona pandemic is spiraling out of control again - for the fourth time. Now a biologist is providing further evidence of where the deadly pandemic originated.


The corona pandemic is spiraling out of control again - for the fourth time.

Now a biologist is providing further evidence of where the deadly pandemic originated.

Beijing / Munich - Two years after the outbreak of the corona pandemic, Germany is again firmly in the grip of the deadly virus, and stronger than ever before.

The current fourth wave claims hundreds of lives every day.

Tens of thousands are infected with the virus as hospitals near capacity and raise the alarm.

New measures are just around the corner.

Several theories have already been put forward about the origin of the pandemic.

They range from the animal market in Wuhan to laboratory leaks and even a biological weapon.

Even if, according to experts, the theory of a laboratory accident in Wuhan is “unlikely”, it is not definitively ruled out.

A biologist has now provided further evidence of the origin of the pandemic.

Corona origin: Biologist provides evidence for Wuhan animal market as origin

Renowned evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey provided further evidence for the Huanan animal market in the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan as the likely origin of the virus.

In an

article published

in the journal

Science

, Worobey summarizes key events that took place in Wuhan in December 2019 and January 2020.

He drew a timeline of the first known cases, which he compiled from newspaper reports and accessible hospital data, among other things.

The scientist from the Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona concluded that most of the early symptomatic cases could be linked to the Huanan animal market. 


Corona origin: preventing future pandemics depends on analysis of previous cases, says biologist

So far, no clear evidence has been produced, as there are no samples from animals that were being sold on the market at the time of the outbreak.

Finally, the Huanan market was quickly closed and disinfected.

However, this does not mean that the mystery surrounding the outbreak can never be solved, the researcher said. 


Conclusive evidence could be obtained by analyzing spatial patterns from early cases in Wuhan and additional genetic data from additional samples from patients at the time.

"The prevention of future pandemics depends on this effort," said Worobey. 


Corona: Investigations into the origin of China prevented - Beijing accuses political attacks

The virus first appeared in Wuhan at the end of 2019.

However, a team of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) was only allowed to travel to China more than twelve months later and had returned without clear results.

The team then announced that it was not entirely clear whether the market was the actual outcome of the pandemic. 


China does not want to allow a further investigation on site.

Among other things, the US government accuses China of withholding information from the experts.

Beijing accuses the US and other countries of misusing the pandemic and the search for the source of political attacks.

In a previously published report, US intelligence agencies complained about “poor cooperation” from China.

(bb with material from dpa)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-11-19

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