Researchers look into the origin of COVID-19

A team of scientists says they have evidence showing that COVID-19 spread from an infected animal to a human, instead of being caused by a lab leak. Angie Rasmussen, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, is one of the scientists who have looked into the origin of COVID-19.

An analysis of hundreds of genetic samples proves that the origin of the virus is linked to the animal trade at the Huanan seafood market, says Angie Rasmussen, who is also the co-author of the study. Genetic Tracing of Market Wildlife and Viruses at the Epicenter of the COVID-19 Pandemic ».

The study, which was published this fall in the journal Cell, demonstrates that the virus emerged in a market in the city of Wuhan, China, at the same time as the pandemic began in the human population.

It is very difficult to explain otherwise that the virus was brought with these live animals and that it spread, twice in fact, in the human population of the marketsays Angie Rasmussenm who is a virologist at the International Center for Vaccine and Infectious Disease Research (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Several theories about the origin of COVID-19 have been studied by the scientific community over the years. Some people believe the virus escaped from the laboratory Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Angie Rasmussen believes that, in light of the results of this latest study, it is more difficult to adhere to the lab leak theory.

The researchers were able to determine the species present in the peak areas where the virus spread.

The analysis does not prove that the animals in these areas were infected. However, the proximity of COVID-19 samples to where they were ADN was spotted means there is a high probability they were carriers, according to the study.

All the data analyzed in the latest study, namely early cases and proximity to the market, the geographical location of the animals and the two independent spillovers in the human population, occurring a few weeks apart at the end of 2019, indicate that COVID-19 comes from the market, estimates Angie Rasmussen.

Lisa Barrett, an infectious disease specialist at Dalhousie University, says the study is a good example of careful and impartial science.

She said the study demonstrates the importance of considering the density of animals relative to humans and monitoring the animal trade.

If we don’t understand exactly how viruses spread and under what conditions they spread, we will always underestimate, or not estimate at all, where the next threat will come fromdit Lisa Barrett. If we don’t know the why, history tends to repeat itself in the worst possible ways.

Why is the lab leak theory circulating?

The theory that COVID-19 was the result of a laboratory leak in Wuhan began circulating in the early days after the pandemic.

Timothy Caulfield, a professor at the University of Alberta and health expert and expert in the field of misinformation, says people who try to promote the lab leak hypothesis are trying to create a lack of trust in the scientific establishments.

If you don’t believe in the lab leak theory, you are the enemyhe said. This theory is considered a truism: it has been fully established that the lab leak is the source and if you think otherwise, you are simply wrong.

Angie Rasmussen and her colleagues have been the target of attacks on the web in response to their scientific work.

We are accused of running a propaganda campaign primarily to cover up the real story of a lab leak. But that’s absolutely not trueshe concludes.

With information from Alexandre Silberman