COVID from live animals at Wuhan food market, not lab: Studies

Article content

The COVID-19 pandemic was sparked by live animals sold at a food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, not at a nearby lab, two studies suggest.

The studies claim there is no support for the theory that the coronavirus originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, even though China continues to block efforts to uncover its beginnings.

Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who co-authored both studies, said the evidence supports the market theory.

“When you look at all of the evidence together, it’s an extraordinarily clear picture that the pandemic started at the Huanan market,” Worobey told the New York Times.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

Worobey and his team analyzed data from a multitude of sources. Their findings, which have yet to be peer-reviewed or published, concluded that the virus was present in live mammals sold in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in late 2019.

The data found that the virus likely spread to people either working or shopping at that market as many of the initial coronavirus cases centred on the market — although, back then, it was believed to be viral pneumonia.

The researchers focused on about 156 cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan on Dec. 19, 2019, then mapped cases in January and February using data from Chinese researchers of more than 700 cases that surfaced away from the market, reported the Times.

According to Worobey, testing suggested that “this is no coincidence,” adding that they also found vendors were selling raccoons, dogs, and meat from other animals that were previously found to be hosts of the virus.

Genetic samples collected showed traces of the virus in an area of the market where vendors had previously been.

The team also studied mutations and concluded that COVID came from animals and adapted to humans.

A Chinese CDC study released Friday supports the Worobey’s findings.

It’s unclear which animal passed on the first case. That can’t be determined until Chinese researchers provide more genetic information, said Worobey.