WHO Calls on Chinese Health Authorities to Release Genetic Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 After Animal DNA Discovered in Samples from Wuhan Seafood Market

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Chinese health authorities to release genetic sequences of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, after a new analysis of genetic material collected from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, revealed animal DNA in samples already known to be positive for the virus.

The analysis, which was conducted on samples collected from January to March 2020, uncovered a significant amount of animal DNA that appears to belong to raccoon dogs, which were known to be traded at the market. This connection was made after Chinese researchers shared raw genetic sequences taken from swabbed specimens collected at the market early in the pandemic.

The call for the release of the genetic sequences was made after a group of scientists outside of China analyzed genetic sequences of SARS-CoV-2 viruses that had been initially posted late last month to the GISAID database by China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

WHO officials addressed the new evidence in a news briefing on Friday, and have called on Chinese health authorities to release the genetic sequences in order to further investigate the potential animal origin of the pandemic. The organization has also urged other countries to share their data in order to help scientists better understand the virus and its origins.