A Chinese scientist is claiming that the COVID-19 virus may have originated with humans bringing it to the Wuhan market. Read to know more about the theory.
Did humans bring COVID-19 to the Wuhan market?
Tong Yigang, a scientist from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology explained the genetic sequences of samples from Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Market were “almost identical” to those from infected patients. Hence stressing that Covid-19 may have been initiated by humans. The new claim challenges the previous theory of the virus jumping from animals to humans in the Wuhan Market.
Tong added that scientists took over 1,300 frozen animal and environmental samples from the market between January and March 2020. Following this, three strains of the virus were isolated from the environmental samples. He also added that evidence supporting recent studies suggesting raccoon dogs as the origin was insufficient. Dozens of people initially infected by the virus visited the Wuhan market or were linked to stalls in the wet market. The area is infamous for selling raccoon dogs, bats, pangolins, and several other exotic animals that are known for carrying coronavirus similar to COVID-19.
More on the origins of COVID-19
Zhou Lei, a researcher from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated the first place of discovery of the virus may not be its origin place. Additionally, he called on global scientific collaboration to trace the virus’ origin. Additionally, a new paper on the origins of COVID-19 thwarts claims by virologists that the virus naturally emerged in the Wuhan market.
“The evidence provided in this study is not sufficient to support such a hypothesis. The possibility of the potential introduction of the virus to the market through infected humans or cold chain products, cannot be ruled out yet,” stated CDC researchers. They are now claiming humans brought it there after which it started super spreading. Additionally, both governments and researchers across the world have been demanding data and proof to understand the reality of the virus. In a recent release, the World Health Organization slammed China for not sharing more data. They also believe data will help in shedding light on the origins of the virus. “Without full access to the information that China has. All hypotheses are on the table,” stated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief.