Two new studies provide more evidence that the coronavirus pandemic originated in a Wuhan market where live animals were sold — further bolstering the theory that the virus emerged in the wild rather than escaping from a Chinese lab.
, which incorporated data collected by Chinese scientists, University of Arizona evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey and his colleagues used mapping tools to estimate the locations of more than 150 of the earliest reported Covid cases from December 2019. They also mapped cases from January and February 2020 using data from a social media app that had created a channel for people with Covid to get help.
They asked, “Of all the locations that the early cases could have lived, where did they live? And it turned out when we were able to look at this, there was this extraordinary pattern where the highest density of cases was both extremely near to and very centered on this market,” Worobey said at a press briefing.
Andersen said they found case clusters inside the market, too, “and that clustering is very, very specifically in the parts of the market” where they now know people were selling wildlife, such as raccoon dogs, that are susceptible to infection with the coronavirus., scientists analyzed the genomic diversity of the virus inside and outside of China starting with the earliest sample genomes in December 2019 and extending through mid-February 2020.
“Now I realize it sounds like I just said that a once-in-a-generation event happened twice in short succession,” Wertheim said. But certain conditions were in place — such as people and animals in close proximity and a virus that can spread from animals to people and from person to person. So “barriers to spillover have been lowered such that multiple introductions, we believe, should actually be expected,” he said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What a big new U.S. law that reshapes science agencies could mean for researchersMore than 2 years in the making, a massive bill that Congress completed aims high: The CHIPS and Science Act envisions a 5-year, $280 billion investment to keep the United States ahead of China in a global competition for technological preeminence.
Read more »
Rising Christian group We the Kingdom announce new album from New York's Times SquareWe the Kingdom announces its new studio album Friday following a performance at the 'Fox & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series.'
Read more »
The New Solero Evo 8F Seeks To Set A New Standard For Urban E-BikesPegasus has debuted the new Solero Evo 8F, an urban e-bike that seeks to set the standard with no-frills comfort and utility at a reasonable price point.
Read more »
Shiba Inu Reaches New Long-Term Milestone; Expectations Soar on New TeaserShiba Inu achieves new long-term milestone, raising hopes for new teaser SHIB $SHIB SHIBCommunity ShibArmy
Read more »
Kelis Launches Into Beyoncé Over New Sample: ‘Disrespectful’The “Milkshake” singer is furious over a track from Bey’s new album—and wants the world to know it.
Read more »
Tucker Carlson slammed over 'homophobic' new name for Monkeypox: 'Cruel'Tucker Carlson held a Twitter poll earlier this week calling for monkeypox to be renamed and almost 40 percent of participants voted for 'schlong covid.'
Read more »