The @WHO presser in #Wuhan has started with the leader of the Chinese team Liang Wennian going through the kinda boring history of setting up the inquiry, terms of reference etc.
Seems to be already hinting that there will be another “stage” of this inquiry in another country / countries?
Sorry I miss typed earlier. Should read Liang Wannian.
Saying not enough evidence to show significant #coronavirus spread in #Wuhan pre December 2019.
“Not possible to say how the #coronavirus was introduced into the Huanan Market”
“Contamination at Huanan Market either from human source or from cold-chain products... #coronavirus can be carried a long way on cold chain products”
Now Dr Peter BenEmbarek speaking. He’s head of the visiting @WHO team.
“We’ve not dramatically changed out understanding (of the #coronavirus) but definitely know more about it... in Dec 2019 it was not only in Huanan Market but elsewhere... “
Most evidence pointing to a natural reservoir in bat populations
A direct jump from bats into humans is unlikely in Wuhan but the virus could have possibly done so via an intermediary animal species.
They looked into four potential sources of #coronavirus in humans: 1. Animal straight to human 2. Animal to animal to human 3. Via cold chain products 4. Possible lab leak. They think no 2 is most likely and research prioritised in this area.
The lab leak hypothesis is extremely unlikely and therefore will not be included for future study.
Key recommendations: existing database integration expanded globally; blood samples from blood banks analysed more; search for more material from the early days of the outbreak to be analysed... [cont]
More key recommendations: maybe more in-depth studying of early infection cases; more sampling of certain species which could be a reservoir, especially bats even in other neighbouring countries.... [cont]
Key recommendations more: more study of cold chain products. We know the virus can survive on these prices but can it transmit to humans in this way?
More: Could a frozen wild animal be the source? What products available in the Huanan Market are still available elsewhere? Study them plus also look at farming environments.
Two very long introductions finally finished. Questions now...
Q: % of likelihood each scenario? Marion answering: Hard to answer, Going into exact percentages is overstating what can be done (now I guess?).
Q: for some reason a CGTN journalist asked about the Huanan market origin theory when they’ve already said they don’t know how the virus got into Huanan Market.
[This has been going on for coming up to two hours and we’ve had only what 2 or 3 questions? Welcome to press conferences with Chinese characteristics]
Q: Why did you reject the lab leak theory? A: nowhere was this precise virus being studied anywhere in the world; it’s very unlikely that it could have escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology; accidents like this are rare.
Marion Koopmans said while no evidence of “widespread” #coronavirus transmission in #Wuhan prior to December 2019 there may nevertheless have been some. We can’t say absolutely no transmissions here before December 2019.
Q: Tell us more about animals found dead at Huanan Market? A: No animals tested positive but some were susceptible to #coronavirus like badgers, rats and rabbits.
Peter BenEmbarek said that the minutes of their meetings at all site visits, to the WIV and other places etc, would be included in their report. (I guess he means this will be publicly available but not really clear).
Q: Chinese Government/media have stressed the possibility of overseas infections prior to Wuhan outbreak? How likely these pre-dated any cases in Wuhan? A: More research needs to be done. Genetic information could be sought to see if Italy cases act originated in Wuhan departures
I’m sure a lot of people will be interested in reading the minutes of the meetings the @WHO team had in #Wuhan #China if they do turn out to be made public.
Question being asked quite a bit of the @WHO team morning after their presser: Q: You’re saying the lab leak theory should go no further because the #Wuhan Institute of Virology are best placed to know if there was an accident & they said there wasn’t one. Is that enough proof?
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