World Health Organization (WHO), on Tuesday, has said all the available evidence suggests that the novel Coronavirus originated in animals in China last year and there has not been any sign of lab manipulation.
WHO backs China’s statement
A few days ago, the United States President Donald Trump had said that his officials could investigate the possibility that the Coronavirus could have originated in a lab and not in a wet market that had been established across the media.
Following the statement, China, a few days later, said that WHO does not have evidence regarding the possibility of the origin of the virus in a lab.
The latest statement from WHO looks to be a follow-up to the ongoing dialogue.
WHO says Coronavirus had originated in an animal
WHO has announced that the Coronavirus could have originated in an animal and there is no sign of manipulation in the lab.
WHO Spokesperson Fadela Chaib said today:
“All available evidence suggests the virus has an animal origin and is not manipulated or constructed in a lab or somewhere else. It is probable, likely, that the virus is of animal origin.”
However, on being questioned how the virus got transferred to humans, she said:
“It most likely has its ecological reservoir in bats but how the virus came from bats to humans is still to be seen and discovered.”
WHO also commented on Trump’s decision to suspend funding to the organization:
“We are still assessing the situation about the announcement by President Trump and we will assess the situation and we will work with our partners to fill any gaps.”
She concluded the statement saying:
“It is very important to continue what we are doing not only for COVID but for many, many, many, many other health programs.”
