The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that all hypotheses regarding the origin of COVID-19 remain open, following a four-year investigation that ended inconclusively due to lack of access to crucial data.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said both the zoonotic spillover and lab leak theories are still on the table.
The pandemic, which began in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, has killed an estimated 20 million people, devastated economies, and overwhelmed health systems.
A 2021 joint WHO-China report suggested a likely animal origin but faced criticism for limited transparency and access, particularly regarding the lab leak theory.
The Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) released a 78-page report that supports zoonotic spillover as the best explanation but admits this cannot be confirmed without more evidence.
The report highlights the Wuhan wet market as a possible amplification point but not necessarily the origin of the virus.
SAGO chair Marietjie Venter said the lab leak theory could not be confirmed or ruled out due to insufficient data.
WHO has repeatedly requested more information from China, including early viral sequences and lab safety details, but has not received a full response.
Tedros emphasized that determining COVID-19’s origin is a moral responsibility for the victims and crucial for preventing future pandemics.
SAGO will continue to review new scientific evidence and update its findings as more information becomes available.
