WHO-China Study: SARS-CoV-2 Likely Came from Intermediary Host

The most probable origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was an intermediary animal host, states a joint report from the World Health Organization and experts from China and 10 other countries. They said intermediary hosts were “likely to very likely” to have transmitted the virus to humans.

Similar viruses have been found in bats and pangolins, but since these animals rarely come into close contact with humans, the authorities say there may have been amplifying animal hosts — for instance, farm animals.

“As far as WHO is concerned, all hypotheses remain on the table,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement. “This report is a very important beginning, but it is not the end. We have not yet found the source of the virus, and we must continue to follow the science.”

The joint committee also considered other possible sources: direct zoonotic transmission (possible to likely), cold/food chain products (possible), and laboratory origin (extremely unlikely).