Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Phone Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Science
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Phone Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / World News / Coronavirus: WHO team spent merely four hours at Wuhan institute
  • World

    Coronavirus: WHO team spent merely four hours at Wuhan institute

    Shalini Ojha
    Written by
    Shalini Ojha
    Twitter
    Last updated on Mar 31, 2021, 01:02 am
    Coronavirus: WHO team spent merely four hours at Wuhan institute
  • A team of the World Health Organization (WHO), that visited China earlier this year to trace the origins of coronavirus, has ruled out the possibility of a lab leak.

    The report is yet to be officially released but parts that surfaced in the media blamed animals for the disease that has killed 2.8 million worldwide.

    However, the report leaves key questions unanswered.

  • In this article
    Trump had floated theory about a possible lab leak The team remained inside hotels for substantial amount of time After outbreak, Wuhan's infamous institute garnered limelight The institute also houses Asia's largest virus bank Earlier, Chinese expert had refuted lab leak speculations WHO team gave clean chit to China but questions remain
  • Theory

    Trump had floated theory about a possible lab leak

    Trump had floated theory about a possible lab leak
  • The theory about the virus leaking from a lab was brought to the mainstream by former United States President Donald Trump. It was further fanned by China's secrecy and the inability to pinpoint the source.

    It was in late 2019 that the virus emerged in Wuhan and traveled across the globe. In the process, thousands were killed and economies were battered.

  • Probe

    The team remained inside hotels for substantial amount of time

  • Despite the outrage triggered by its response to the pandemic, China tried to stall the WHO's investigation.

    The team, led by Peter Ben Embarek, spent merely four hours at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

    Further, the experts visited the wet market in Wuhan for just one hour. For several days, they stayed put inside their hotel rooms without venturing into the city.

  • Institute

    After outbreak, Wuhan's infamous institute garnered limelight

  • As is evident, the pandemic turned the attention toward the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where dangerous diseases are examined. In the early days of the outbreak, the scientists there helped understand SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

    In February 2020, its researchers had claimed that the new virus was nearly 80% similar to the SARS coronavirus, and 96% identical to the coronavirus found in bats.

  • Lab

    The institute also houses Asia's largest virus bank

    The institute also houses Asia's largest virus bank
  • Notably, the institute is also home to a lab, which has the highest biosafety rating — 'P4.' Risky pathogens, like the one which can cause Ebola, are studied there.

    This lab, built at a cost of $42 million, opened in 2018. It is seen as Asia's largest virus bank, sheltering over 1,500 strains.

    A P3 lab has been functional at the site since 2012.

  • Looking back

    Earlier, Chinese expert had refuted lab leak speculations

  • The speculations about a possible lab leak were refuted by Shi Zhengli, a leading Chinese expert on bat coronaviruses and deputy director of the P4 lab. She had said she would "bet her life" that there was no leak.

    However, notable global publications like Le Monde and The Wall Street Journal published articles hinting at this possibility. Harvard and Stanford's scientists also didn't completely negate the speculations.

  • Conclusion

    WHO team gave clean chit to China but questions remain

  • And now, falling in line with China's stance, the WHO team noted that it's "extremely unlikely" that the virus had leaked from a lab.

    The team also found nothing substantial to override the general consensus in the scientific community that the virus had a natural origin.

    However, the findings might not find many takers, considering the team's helplessness to conduct a fair investigation.

  • World Health Organization
  • Coronavirus
  • China
  •  
Latest News
  • COVID-19 negative report must to visit Jagannath Temple
    COVID-19 negative report must to visit Jagannath Temple
    India
  • Maharashtra: Traders wait for respite following COVID-19 curbs
    Maharashtra: Traders wait for respite following COVID-19 curbs
    India
  • Katrina Kaif tests positive for coronavirus, in home isolation
    Katrina Kaif tests positive for coronavirus, in home isolation
    Entertainment
  • TMC candidate Sujata Mondal attacked by BJP workers, alleges party
    TMC candidate Sujata Mondal attacked by BJP workers, alleges party
    Politics
  • Designed for students, HP launches Chromebook 11a at Rs. 22,000
    Designed for students, HP launches Chromebook 11a at Rs. 22,000
    Science
Trending Topics
Coronavirus
Next News Article
Share
Cancel

Want to share it with your friends too?

Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin
Copied

Love World news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

World Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Science News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Bharti Airtel Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League Samsung Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma
Cricket News YouTube Hollywood News WhatsApp Bollywood News ISRO Elon Musk Yoga Honda Batman
Football News BMW Vaccine Reliance Jio OPPO Food News, Healthy Recipes Apple Royal Challengers Bangalore Toyota Fashion Tips
Mercedes Isha Ambani India Vs England Cricket OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV Marvel Comics Avengers Neha Kakkar Chris Morris
Big Bang Theory X-Men TATA Royal Enfield
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us News Reviews News Archive Topics Archive Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2021