Geneva: Following the publication of the World Health Organisation (WHO)-China joint report of the phase one studies on the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in March 2021, WHO today said on review of the phase one study report, it determined that there was insufficient scientific evidence to rule any of the hypotheses out.
It stated it hoped for continuity from previous missions to China for SARS-CoV-2, as well as other missions studying the origins of, for example, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, avian influenza, Lassa and Ebola.
It specifically said that in order to address the “lab hypothesis,” it was important to have access to all data and consider scientific best practice and look at the mechanisms it already has in place.
“Analysing and improving lab safety and protocols in all laboratories around the world, including in China, is important for our collective biosafety and security,” it stated, while calling for all governments to depoliticize the situation and cooperate to accelerate the origins studies, and to work together to develop a common framework for future emerging pathogens of pandemic potential. .
“Access to data is critically important for evolving our understanding of science and should not be politicised in any way,” it stated while stressing that building on what had already been learned, the next series of studies would include a further examination of the raw data from the earliest cases and sera from potential early cases in 2019.
“WHO is only focused on science, providing solutions and building solidarity,” it stated, and mentioned that it had outlined the next series of studies that need to be undertaken – “It is vitally important to know how the COVID-19 pandemic began, to set an example for establishing the origins of all future animal-human spillover events.” It further asserted that its priority was for scientists to build on the first phase of studies, implement the recommendations outlined in the March 2021 report and accelerate scientific efforts on all hypotheses.
“Searching for the origins of any novel pathogen is a difficult process, which is based on science, and takes collaboration, dedication and time,” it said.
Obliquely referring to the blame game between China and the USA, the WHO reiterated that the search for the origins of SARS-CoV-2 was not and should not be an exercise in attributing blame, finger-pointing or political point-scoring.
“Countries have a collective responsibility to work together in the true spirit of partnership and to ensure scientists and experts have the space they need to find the origins of the worst pandemic in a century,” it said. It pointed out that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has been working with Member States and the scientific community to better understand how this pandemic began so that we can be better prepared for the next one – “WHO is working with a number of countries that have reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in samples from stored biological specimens from 2019.
It cited the example of Italy, where WHO facilitated an independent evaluation by international laboratories of the findings of one such study, which included the blind retesting of pre-pandemic blood samples. “Sharing raw data and giving permission for the retesting of samples in labs outside of Italy reflected scientific solidarity at its best and was no different from”what we encourage all countries, including China, to support so that we can advance the studies of the origins quickly and effectively,”it stated.
The International Scientific Advisory Group for Origins of Novel Pathogens, or SAGO, is a new advisory group for WHO, which will be responsible for advising WHO on the development of a global framework to systematically study the emergence of future emerging pathogens with pandemic potential. For SARS-CoV-2, it will support the rapid undertaking of recommended studies outlined in the March 2021 report.
By issuing an open call for nominations to SAGO, WHO said it was providing a transparent foundation for the new scientific advisory group that we expect all Member States will engage with. “This open call aims to ensure that a broad range of scientific skills and expertise are identified to advise WHO on the studies needed to identify the origins of any future emerging or re-emerging pathogen of pandemic potential,” it stated.
China and a number of other Member States have written to WHO regarding the basis for further studies of the SARS-CoV-2 “lab hypothesis.” They have also suggested the origins study has been politicised, or that WHO has acted due to political pressure.
“Searching for the origins of a novel virus is an immensely difficult scientific task that takes time. WHO is committed to following the science, and we call on all governments to put differences aside and work together to provide all data and access required so that the next series of studies can be commenced as soon as possible,” it said
– global bihari bereau.
