Rows of Animals Suspected of Carrying COVID-19, Triggering Pandemic at Wuhan Market

Jakarta –

Researchers are still trying to unravel the mystery of the origin of COVID-19, which triggered the pandemic in early 2020.

Analysis of genetic samples taken from the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, China, has identified a list of wild animals sold there as the most likely source of the virus that caused the outbreak. spread of COVID-19.

Although bats are thought to be the original carriers of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the new study concludes that it may have emerged from wild animals sold in markets and not from laboratory. The researchers reviewed data from 800 samples collected at the Huanan market by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention starting on January 1, 2020, and also analyzed the viral genomes of the COVID-19 cases. the earliest.

Team member Ed Holmes at the University of Sydney said Chinese investigators swabbed surfaces, refrigerators, drains and cages to test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2.

“We analyzed this data to determine which species were present and where they were found in the market, especially in relation to where SARS-CoV-2 was found,” said Holmes, quoted by New Scientist.

Contrary to some of the statements made by the Chinese research team, the study found evidence of various wild animals sold in markets that could be intermediate hosts for the virus, which ‘ include raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), and old bamboo rats. (rhizomys pruinosus).

“This indicates – but does not prove – that the animal was infected. Therefore, it is very likely that SARS-CoV-2 appeared in live animal markets.”

“All scientific data points in one direction, to the natural zoonotic origin of SARS-CoV-2 in the Huanan market, Wuhan,” said Holmes.

Team member Zach Hensel at NOVA University in Lisbon, Portugal, said the study highlights the potential risks of human-wildlife interactions at the Huanan market, and the need for those risks. reduce at similar locations.

“Although humans are, of course, omnipresent at the Huanan market and live mammals in a small number of stalls, human viruses, other than SARS2, are rare and some animal viruses are very abundant,” said Hensel.

(kna/kna)