The WHO Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a panel of 27 unbiased, worldwide, multidisciplinary consultants, at present printed its report on the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus liable for the COVID-19 pandemic.
SAGO has superior the understanding of the origins of COVID-19, however as they are saying of their report, a lot of the data wanted to judge absolutely all hypotheses has not been offered.
I thank every of the 27 members of SAGO for dedicating their time and experience to this essential scientific endeavor over greater than three years. As issues stand, all hypotheses should stay on the desk, together with zoonotic spillover and lab leak. We proceed to enchantment to China and every other nation that has details about the origins of COVID-19 to share that info overtly, within the pursuits of defending the world from future pandemics.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-Normal
In its report, SAGO thought-about obtainable proof for the principle hypotheses for the origins of COVID-19 and concluded that “the load of accessible proof…suggests zoonotic spillover…both instantly from bats or by way of an intermediate host.”
WHO requested that China share a whole bunch of genetic sequences from people with COVID-19 early within the pandemic, extra detailed details about the animals offered at markets in Wuhan, and knowledge on work executed and biosafety situations at laboratories in Wuhan. So far, China has not shared this info both with SAGO or WHO.
SAGO printed its preliminary findings and suggestions in a report on 9 June 2022. At present’s report updates that analysis based mostly on peer-reviewed papers and opinions, in addition to obtainable unpublished info and area research, interviews, and different reviews together with audit findings, authorities reviews and intelligence reviews. SAGO convened in varied codecs 52 instances, performed briefings with researchers, lecturers, journalists, and others.
“Because the report says, this isn’t solely a scientific endeavor, it’s a ethical and moral crucial,” mentioned Dr. Marietjie Venter, Chair of the group and Distinguished Professor and One Well being Analysis Chair in Vaccines and Surveillance for Rising viral threats on the College of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. “Understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and the way it sparked a pandemic is required to assist stop future pandemics, save lives and livelihoods, and cut back world struggling.”
At a Particular Session of the World Well being Meeting in late 2020, WHO Member States adopted a decision asking WHO to check the origins of SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, a joint mission between worldwide and Chinese language consultants travelled to China in January and February 2021, and printed their report in March of that yr.
In July 2021, Dr Tedros launched SAGO with two mandates: first, to design a world framework to research the origins of rising and re-emerging pathogens, which it printed final yr, and second, to use that framework to judge scientific proof to find out the origins of COVID-19.
The work to grasp the origins of SARS-CoV-2 stays unfinished. WHO welcomes any additional proof on the origins of COVID-19, and SAGO stays dedicated to reviewing any new info ought to it turn out to be obtainable.
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