Expert Panel Points to Zoonotic Origin, But Definitive Conclusions Remain Elusive
The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Independent Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) released an updated report on Friday regarding the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report, compiled by 27 international experts, suggests that a zoonotic transmission—either directly from bats or through an intermediate host—is the most likely hypothesis, according to the available evidence. However, the investigation lacks definitive conclusions due to insufficient information, particularly from China.
Zoonotic Transmission: The Most Supported Hypothesis
According to the SAGO report, current evidence “appears to suggest a zoonotic origin… either directly from bats or via an intermediary host.” This conclusion was reached after reviewing scientific studies, unpublished data, field reports, and interviews, among other sources.
Nevertheless, the WHO emphasized that no hypothesis can be ruled out, including the laboratory escape theory. “As things stand, we cannot rule out any hypothesis,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
China Fails to Provide Crucial Data
The SAGO investigation has been hampered by China’s lack of cooperation, as the Chinese government has not shared hundreds of early case genetic sequences, detailed information about animals sold at Wuhan markets, or biosecurity data from local labs.
Tedros reiterated the call for China and any other country possessing relevant data to share it transparently, aiming to prevent future pandemics.
A Scientific and Ethical Endeavor
Marietjie Venter, SAGO chair and virus emergence surveillance expert, highlighted that this work is not only scientific but also a moral and ethical imperative.
“To help prevent future pandemics, save lives, and reduce global suffering, it is essential to understand the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and how it triggered a pandemic,” Venter asserted.
The WHO assured that it remains open to receiving and evaluating new evidence on the virus’s origins, with SAGO committed to reviewing any future available information.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main conclusion of the SAGO report? The report suggests that a zoonotic transmission is the most likely origin of SARS-CoV-2, either directly from bats or through an intermediary host.
- Why are definitive conclusions still lacking? Insufficient information, particularly from China, prevents reaching definitive conclusions. This includes crucial genetic sequences, market animal data, and lab biosecurity information.
- What is the WHO’s stance on alternative hypotheses? The WHO maintains that no hypothesis, including the laboratory escape theory, should be ruled out at this point.
- Why is China’s cooperation essential for the investigation? China’s failure to share critical data has significantly limited the scope and depth of the investigation, hindering the ability to draw definitive conclusions.
- What is the ethical significance of understanding Covid-19’s origins? Gaining insights into the virus’s origin is crucial for preventing future pandemics, saving lives, and reducing global suffering.
