WHO: More Research on Escape Coronavirus from Lab

The World Health Organization (WHO) wants further research into whether the coronavirus originates from a Chinese laboratory.

 

WHO chief Tedros calls on his experts to delve deeper into the theory that the virus ‘escaped’ from a laboratory.

The WHO leader comes with his call after presenting findings of an international WHO team that investigated the origin of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China. The virus appeared in this metropolis almost 1.5 years ago, after which it spread worldwide.

The WHO experts, including the Dutch virologist Marion Koopmans, think it is likely that the virus has passed from one bat to another animal and humans. According to the WHO report that leaked earlier this week, they pretty much rule out the possibility that it was accidentally jumped in a laboratory in Wuhan.

“While the team has concluded that a lab leak is the least likely hypothesis, it requires further investigation, possibly with additional missions involving specialized experts, which I am willing to deploy,” said Tedros.

The WHO head further criticized the team’s limited access to Chinese data. The experts themselves had already stated that they were not able to work freely enough in Wuhan. Tedros says he expects future cooperation between Beijing and the team to go better.

“More timely and more comprehensive,” said the WHO boss.