WHO: "Jokjaebi-osori and Wild Rabbit as Intermediate Hosts of COVID-19"

Possibility That Intermediate Host Animals at Wuhan Market Transmitted COVID-19

On the 9th (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) local investigation team held a press conference in Wuhan, China. Wuhan (China) = Photo by Reuters

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] While it is presumed that the COVID-19 virus first originated from bats, there is a possibility that the virus was transmitted to wild weasels and wild rabbits before spreading back to humans.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 18th (local time), the WHO investigation team, which recently completed a four-week local investigation in Wuhan, China, focused on wild weasels and rabbits traded at the Wuhan market as potential intermediate hosts of the COVID-19 virus. These two animals were among the wild animals found in freezers at the Wuhan market.

The WHO local investigation team has identified the Wuhan market as a key area in investigating the origin of COVID-19. While it is presumed that the COVID-19 virus started from bats, the WHO team stated that it is highly likely that bats transmitted the virus to intermediate host animals, which then infected humans. This implies that the intermediate host animals traded at the Wuhan market likely began transmitting the virus to humans.

Peter Daszak, a researcher from the WHO local investigation team, said in an interview with WSJ, "Tests for the COVID-19 virus on wild weasel carcasses from the Wuhan market came back negative," but added, "There is still a possibility that wild weasels transmitted the COVID-19 virus." It is interpreted that the wild weasels traded at the Wuhan market could be an important clue in explaining the origin of COVID-19.

Chinese health authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on this possibility.

Wild weasels, mainly inhabiting southern China, are designated as protected species, but illegal trade for their meat or fur is openly conducted.

Wild rabbits traded at the Wuhan market are also expected to be an important clue. Researcher Daszak emphasized, "Wild rabbits have also been found to be vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus," adding, "A thorough investigation of these animals could reveal the pathway through which the virus was introduced into Wuhan."

Dr. Marion Koopmans, a virologist on the WHO investigation team, also agreed with this view, stating, "We judge that wild weasels and wild rabbits can transmit and spread the COVID-19 virus."

The WHO investigation team stated, "We cannot confirm whether the COVID-19 virus was first transmitted from these wild animals to humans," and added, "We are also considering the possibility that transmission began elsewhere."

Additionally, the WHO investigation team urged the Chinese government to conduct extensive investigations of mink farms, based on recent cases in Europe where the COVID-19 virus was detected in mink, which are members of the weasel family.

According to WHO, COVID-19 infection cases have been reported at mink farms in eight countries, including France, Italy, and the United States.

WSJ evaluated, "Identifying the animal that first infected humans with COVID-19 would be a significant breakthrough," and added, "The evidence so far is broadening our understanding of which animals may have played a role in transmitting the COVID-19 virus to humans."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.