The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged China to share comprehensive data on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, marking five years since its emergence in Wuhan.
In a statement, the WHO described the call for transparency as a “moral and scientific imperative,” emphasizing the need for global cooperation to prevent future pandemics.
“Without transparency, sharing, and collaboration among nations, the world cannot adequately prevent or prepare for future epidemics and pandemics,” the statement read.
Tracing COVID-19’s Origins
The virus is widely believed to have transferred naturally from animals to humans. However, suspicions persist regarding a potential lab leak in Wuhan. China has previously rejected the lab-leak theory and has not yet responded to the WHO’s latest statement.
The WHO revisited the early days of the pandemic, highlighting its immediate response. On December 31, 2019, WHO’s China office flagged a report on “viral pneumonia” cases in Wuhan. By early January 2020, emergency systems were activated, and comprehensive guidance and diagnostic tools were shared globally.
Honoring Lives and Learning for the Future
The WHO reflected on the pandemic’s impact, honoring those who lost their lives, those suffering from long COVID, and the healthcare workers who made immense sacrifices.
While COVID-19 was declared no longer a global health emergency in May 2023, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of staying vigilant, warning that future pandemics could emerge “at any moment.”
Scientific Consensus
In September 2023, a team of scientists concluded that the pandemic likely began with infected animals sold at a Wuhan market, citing evidence from hundreds of samples collected in early 2020.
For further details on COVID-19 origin studies, read:
COVID Origin Studies: Evidence Points to Wuhan Market
Why the Wuhan Lab-Leak Theory Remains Controversial
