As the world marks five years since the first cases of Covid-19 were reported in Wuhan, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called on China to share crucial data regarding the origins of the virus. Despite the passage of time, the origins of the pandemic remain a subject of scientific debate, with the WHO emphasizing the importance of transparency in understanding how the virus emerged.
On December 31, 2019, the WHO’s China office reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, marking the beginning of what would soon become a global pandemic. Authorities locked down the city of 11 million people more than three weeks later, but by that time, Covid-19 had already spread well beyond China’s borders.
While the pandemic has drastically altered global life and economies, questions about its origin persist. WHO officials have repeatedly called on China to share more information to help unravel the mystery. In a statement on Monday, the WHO reiterated its stance: “We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of COVID-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.”
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry defended its actions, claiming it has been transparent with the WHO and the global scientific community. “China has always adhered to the spirit of science, openness and transparency, actively supported and participated in global scientific tracing,” said spokesperson Mao Ning. “We have shared the most data and research results on the issue of Covid-19 origin tracing, and have made the greatest contribution to global tracing research.”
The search for the virus’s origins has sparked heated debates, particularly over whether it came from a natural animal spillover or a lab leak. While many scientists lean toward the former, the lab leak theory has gained attention, particularly after some researchers endorsed it.
WHO’s calls for data transparency have been ongoing, with some officials criticizing China’s lack of cooperation. In 2023, the organization gained access to raw genetic data from samples taken at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, though this data was quickly removed from the global repository.
As the pandemic’s anniversary approaches, the WHO’s message remains clear: full access to relevant data is necessary for the scientific community to understand the origins of Covid-19 and better prepare for future global health challenges.
