NIH cancels Wuhan funding https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/9563/ SAGO, came together last year after widespread criticism of a joint WHO-China investigation Lab-leak theory as ‘extremely unlikely’ China via frozen fish WHO covid origins report https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/09/who-sago-covid-origins/?utm_campaign=wp_to_your_health&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_tyh&wpmk=1&pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNWZjM2FmNGNhZTdlOGE0OGZkZGQ0OWEyIiwidGFnIjoiNjJhM2EyNzg5NTYxMjE3NTVhYWY5N2Y2IiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3RvbnBvc3QuY29tL3dvcmxkLzIwMjIvMDYvMDkvd2hvLXNhZ28tY292aWQtb3JpZ2lucy8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXdwX3RvX3lvdXJfaGVhbHRoJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJndwaXNyYz1ubF90eWgmd3Btaz0xIn0.w66_MlVhC871nwsuz46ierPOCarculZxc5AOIXLU5Z8 https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/scientific-advisory-group-on-the-origins-of-novel-pathogens/sago-report-09062022.pdf?sfvrsn=42b55bbc_1&download=true Members of the group from Brazil, China and Russia objected to the calls for further investigation into the “lab leak” theory WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent two letters,….. and further information into the laboratory hypotheses SAGO was not provided any information related to studies conducted evaluating the laboratory hypotheses as a possible introduction into the human population. The possibility of a breach in biosafety or biosecurity measures possibility of novel pathogens escaping into the human population due to a breach … in a laboratory this has unfortunately happened with other pathogens are still lacking in most low- and middle- income countries. Need for identification gain of function dual use research of concern At the present time available epidemiological and sequencing data, suggest ancestral strains to SARS-CoV-2 have a zoonotic origin, closest genetically related viruses, beta coronaviruses, identified in Rhinolophus bats China in 2013, (96.1%) Laos in 2020 (96.8%) “At this point, the strongest evidence is still around zoonotic transmission,” Marietjie Venter, chair of the WHO team, virologist University of Pretoria However, the precursor viruses that have been identified in bats are definitely not close enough to be the virus that spilled over into humans Humans and chimps, 98.9% https://sciencing.com/animals-share-human-dna-sequences-8628167.html Bonobos 98.7% Human to human 99.9% human DNA in a banana, about 60% However so far neither the virus progenitors, nor the natural/intermediate hosts, or spill-over event to humans, have been identified Huanan seafood market in Wuhan played an important role early in the amplification Scientific advisory group for the origins of novel pathogens (SAGO) first preliminary report from the to WHO represents work that is ongoing and not yet complete. The work of the SAGO should be read as a work in progress. global framework to study emerging and re-emerging pathogens of pandemic potential offers preliminary recommendations to advance our understanding of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 into the human population notes that there are key pieces of data that are not yet available Further studies, follow up on several gaps in our knowledge yet to be determined where the initial spill over event(s) occurred Need to examine environmental samples collected from specific stalls and drains at the market in January 2020 Studies to identify possible animal sources from which the environmental contamination could have originated from have not been completed. Clinical history and seroprevalence in humans and animals from the source farms of animals sold at Wuhan markets. Verification analyses of human samples collected through national surveillance programs, during the months prior to December 2019 Genetic studies of coronaviruses in wildlife species, The SAGO notes No new lab leak information recommends further investigations into this and all other possible pathways. The SAGO will remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available, to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses.