Bats and pangolins are not the direct ancestors of the new crown virus China-the main points of the WHO new crown virus traceability conference are here

Today (March 31) at 15:00, the Chinese expert group on the China-WHO Joint Research on the Traceability of the New Coronavirus held a press conference at the National Health Commission to introduce the joint research report on the traceability of the New Coronavirus and answer questions from reporters.

The virus found in bats and pangolins is not the direct ancestor of the new coronavirus

Liang Wannian, the leader of the joint expert group, introduced that a coronavirus with a high degree of similarity to the new coronavirus gene sequence has been found in bats and pangolins, but the similarity is not enough to make it the direct ancestor of the new coronavirus; animals such as mink and cats are against the new coronavirus Highly susceptible.

No positive results in animal products test at Huanan Seafood Market

Liang Wannian introduced that environmental sampling after the closure of the South China Seafood Market showed that the environment was generally contaminated by the new coronavirus.

Sampling and monitoring of bats in Hubei Province and a large number of livestock, poultry, and wild animals in various parts of China did not find new coronaviruses, and no evidence of new coronaviruses circulating in livestock, poultry, and wild animals before and after the outbreak.

The introduction of the virus through a laboratory accident is considered an extremely unlikely route

The joint expert group conducted a scientific assessment of the possibility of the introduction of the new coronavirus and concluded that:

The direct spillover of zoonotic diseases is seen as a possible to more likely way;

Introduction through an intermediate host is regarded as a more likely to very likely way;

The introduction of products through the cold chain/food chain is seen as a possible way;

Introduction through laboratory accidents was seen as an extremely unlikely route.

It is recommended that possible early cases continue to be detected globally

Liang Wannian suggested that we should continue to detect possible early cases in a wider range of the world.

The press conference also responded to hot issues↓↓

Authoritative response

1.

Liang Wannian: I think the hypothesis or argument on this issue is untenable.

Some data related to the patient’s privacy and requiring the patient’s informed consent.

2.

Liang Wannian: It was not because of some interference, nor was it the laziness of scientists, nor was it because of other reasons that delayed the publication of this report.

3.

Liang Wannian: China is the first country to jointly carry out traceability research with the World Health Organization.

4.

Liang Wannian: If you only understand the traceability and only work in China, this is a scientific misunderstanding.

5.

Tong Yigang, the Chinese leader of the Animal and Environmental Sciences Group of the Joint Expert Group:

The animal samples we tested at the South China Seafood Market were not positive.
From 2018 to 2020, more than 38,000 poultry and livestock samples and more than 41,000 wild animal samples were collected in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China.
None of these samples tested positive.

For bats, Chinese scientists have done in-depth research.
A virus similar to the new coronavirus has been found in southern China, but the new coronavirus has never been found.
In addition to bats, many animals are susceptible to the new coronavirus.

So far, there has never been scientific evidence to support the hypothesis of the spread of the virus in southern China.

6.
Recently, there have been a variety of mutant strains of the new coronavirus.
How do you look at it from a professional perspective?

Yang Yungui, Chinese leader of the Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Group of the Joint Expert Group:

We know that the new coronavirus is an RNA virus.
The mutation of the RNA characteristic virus is a normal evolution process, and it is also a manifestation of continuous adaptation to humans and the environment.
This also shows that the game struggle between humans and viruses is very challenging and arduous, so we need to work together globally to trace the source.

7.
What is the difficulty of the source of the virus that has not been confirmed in this traceability study?

Liang Wannian: The difficulty in tracing the source of the virus lies in the cross-section of the virus entering humans from animals or from a certain carrier.
It has great chance.
In addition, the new crown virus is very cunning and easy to mutate.
This feature makes it more difficult to trace the virus to its source.