Scientists suggest that the coronavirus can be stored in seafood. At the same time, Western scientists urged caution in interpreting the findings of Chinese colleagues.
Chinese scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied seafood samples from the market in Wuhan at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is, in January 2020. But the research results were published in the journal Nature only today, after calls from the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is noted that Chinese scientists began to research after learning that some of the first people infected with COVID visited the market in Wuhan.
In total, they analyzed 1,380 samples taken from seafood and wildlife markets. For the sample, 923 environmental samples and 457 samples were taken from 18 animal species – homeless and aquarium.
The virus was detected in 73 environmental samples but none of the animal samples. Scientists suggest that the virus that infects humans may be stored in seafood. “Viruses from the market have a nucleotide identity of 99.99% to 100% with the human isolate. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in an environmental sample,” the study said.
At the same time, Chinese researchers emphasized that these findings are not enough to argue that the coronavirus appeared as a result of transmission from an animal to humans. Scientists have concluded that the origin of COVID-19 remains uncertain.
Western scientists called for careful interpretation of the results of the study published three years later. They indicated that a more extensive study of the early period of the pandemic is needed to determine the origin of the coronavirus. “If we know the exact origin of the coronavirus, I suspect it will come from new case studies or events early in the pandemic,” said virologist Jesse Bloom of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Earlier it was reported that in recent weeks in patients hospitalized with coronavirus, a more aggressive course of the disease was observed.
Complications are increasing due to COVID-19 – Ministry of Health
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.