WHO: Coronavirus is of animal origin

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which caused a global pandemic of pneumonia of a new type, has no signs of artificial origin. This was stated by WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib at a press briefing.

“All available evidence suggests that this virus is of animal origin. They didn’t create it, and they didn’t manipulate it in laboratories, ”the organization’s representative said.

Chaib noted that, according to information now available, the virus could be of animal origin. It is still unknown how he was able to overcome the species barrier, but most likely he had an intermediate host. “Most likely, the ecological reservoir was formed in bats, but how the virus is transmitted from bats to people remains to be seen,” he said.

The WHO representative did not comment on the version that the virus could accidentally break out of the laboratory of the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

In late January, Republican Senator Tom Cotton announced a possible artificial origin of coronavirus infection. He noted that in Wuhan there is “the only fourth-level biosafety super laboratory in China that works with the deadliest pathogens in the world.” In addition, the Fox News channel cited sources in China as suggesting coronavirus infection in a laboratory in Wuhan. According to the channel, the spread of coronavirus began by chance after one of the institute’s employees became infected during research. US President Donald Trump says Washington is investigating exactly where the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus came from

Chinese authorities deny the version about the artificial origin of coronavirus. On April 16, a statement to this effect was made by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Zhao Lijiang. “These are completely irresponsible remarks. A pandemic is a common enemy of humanity. In the face of this sudden global crisis, all countries, including China, are victims. How can we talk about such a thing as compensation or liability? WHO has repeatedly stated that finding the perpetrators is more dangerous than the disease itself, ”he said.