Washington: The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again emphasized that the global scientific inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and remains inconclusive. Despite nearly five years since the virus first emerged, the world is no closer to a definitive answer regarding how SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the pandemic that upended global health and economies first entered the human population. According to a statement released on June 27, the WHO continues to pursue all credible lines of investigation, but key information remains out of reach.
A major hurdle facing the WHO’s investigation is the lack of cooperation from China, particularly regarding the early stages of the outbreak in Wuhan. The organization has formally requested access to essential data, including genetic sequences from early human cases, details about animals sold at Wuhan markets prior to the outbreak, and documentation on biosafety and virus research conducted at local laboratories. However, Chinese authorities have not yet granted full access to this critical information, stalling progress in resolving the virus’s origin.
The WHO's Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) has reviewed available data and continues to evaluate multiple scenarios, including both natural zoonotic transmission from animals to humans and the less likely but still plausible theory of an accidental lab-related incident. The organization reiterated that no hypothesis has been ruled out and that the search for evidence must continue with scientific rigor and transparency.
The urgency to identify the origins of the virus is not merely academic. Understanding how COVID-19 emerged is crucial to preventing future pandemics and improving global biosecurity. The WHO stressed that continued international collaboration, open data sharing, and political will are essential to uncover the truth. Without access to reliable and complete data from the earliest days of the outbreak, however, the investigation faces significant limitations.
As the world moves into a post-pandemic phase, the question of COVID-19's origin remains a matter of public interest, scientific integrity, and international accountability. The WHO has made it clear: the investigation is far from over, and it will not be complete until all avenues are explored and the world has the clarity it deserves.