WUHAN, China (AP) – The WTO team of international researchers who arrived in the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Thursday are hoping to find clues as to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The visit was shrouded in mystery, and neither China nor the WHO have revealed exactly what the team is going to do or where it is going. The search for the origin is probably a years-long attempt to prevent future pandemics.
___
WHY WUHAN?
The Yangtze River Industrial and Transportation Center is the first coronavirus in the world. It is possible that the virus came from elsewhere to Wuhan, but the city of 11 million is a logical place for the mission to start.
People started getting sick in December 2019, many with links to an extensive food market dealing with live animals. The increasing number of patients caused alarms that prompted China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention to send a team to the investigation.
The disease would plague Wuhan before it was brought under control in March. The city was shut down on January 23 with little or no warning. The hardship endured and lives lost became a source of sadness and pride for residents when the 76-day exclusion was lifted on April 8.
___
WHAT IS THE TEAM’S AGENDA?
First, they have to quarantine 14 days, during which they will work with Chinese counterparts via a video conference. Possible visits after quarantine are the Huanan Seafood Market, the site where the cases took place in December 2019, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Scientists initially suspected that the virus came from wild animals sold in the market. The market has since been largely ruled out, but it could give hints as to how the virus has spread so widely. Samples from the market may still be available, along with the testimony of those involved in the early response.
The Wuhan Institute of Virology maintains an extensive archive of genetic sequences of bat-borne coronaviruses, built following the 2003 SARS pandemic, which spread from China to many countries. WHO team members hope for access to laboratory ledgers and data, as well as junior and senior researchers and safety protocols for sample collection, storage and analysis.
___
WHY THE SECRET?
China has vehemently rejected calls for an independent external inquiry. The head of the WHO recently expressed impatience about how long it took China to make the necessary arrangements for the visit of the expert team.
The ruling Communist Party holds information firmly and is particularly concerned about possible revelations about the handling of the virus that could open it up to international criticism and financial demands.
China has stifled independent reports of the outbreak and has published little information on its search for the virus’ origins. An AP investigation finds that the government has strictly controlled all scientific research related to the outbreak, and prohibits researchers from speaking to the press.
State media are still playing reports indicating that the virus may have originated elsewhere. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said during the announcement of the experts ‘visit that the detection of the virus’ origin is likely to involve many countries and places. “