Chinese market likely origin of covid-19 pandemic, studies show

Two statistical studiesConducted by an international research team, it confirmed that live animals sold at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market are the likely source of the covid-19 pandemic.

Papers containing the results of the research were published in the journal Science at the end of July.

First searched article a geographic pattern in covid-19 cases, in the first month of the epidemic, in December 2019. The team found that 155 of the 173 cases of covid-19 identified by WHO that month were in Wuhan. Also, they were all clustered near the Huanan market.

Researchers reported live SARS-CoV-2 susceptible mammals were sold in the aforementioned market, in late 2019. Within the facility, environmental samples positive for coronavirus were associated with live mammal suppliers. Therefore, it is possible to assume that the first to be infected were the sellers.

second article

Assuming at the beginning, The pandemic involved two slightly different strains of SARS-CoV-2.The scientists evaluated the genomic data from the virus using a technique known as molecular clock analysis. They found that a single entry of the virus into humans rather than multiple times would be inconsistent with the “clock.”

After identifying a narrow window between the date that SARS-CoV-2 jumped to a person and the date the first cases of covid-19 started, the researchers concluded that the coronavirus is unlikely to circulate among humans. before November 2019. The emergence probably resulted from several zoonotic events.

What did the two studies conclude?

The results of the two studies revealed that the origin of covid-19 occurred through two jumps of the virus from commercially available animals to humans. Transmission of infectious agents to these animals was probably done by bats carrying the coronavirus in the wild or on Chinese farms.

The authors of both papers say it is recommended that Chinese scientists and authorities better understand the wildlife trade in this country and other parts of the world to reduce the risk of future pandemics.

In this sense, more complete testing with live animals sold in markets is essential.

ARTICLE Science: DOI: 10.1126/science.abp8715; DOI: 10.1126/science.abp8337