Covid-19: Lab Leak or Animal Transmission?

By Zahra H

The FBI Director has confirmed that the bureau believes that the origins of Covid-19 were from a government-controlled lab in China. “The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident,” he told Fox News. However, many scientists have pointed out that there is no evidence of a leak from a lab, with other US government agencies drawing different conclusions.

Many have suggested that the virus was due to a transmission from animals to humans. After a joint investigation by WHO (World Health Organisation) and China in 2021, the lab leak theory was deemed extremely unlikely. However, this investigation received a lot of criticism with director-general calling for a new inquiry.

Sources: BBC NEWS

The FBI Director’s comments have come a day after there were calls by the US to be more honest about the source of the virus. In the controversial interview on Tuesday, Mr Wray stated that China “had been doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate” efforts to identify the origins of the virus. In response, the US was accused of “political manipulation” by Beijing.

Other studies have suggested that the virus began in Wuhan’s live seafood and wildlife market, making the leap from animal to human. This marker is within close proximity of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which conducted research into coronaviruses. This has considerably contributed to already high tensions in bilateral ties between the US and China in the wake of the recent spy balloon saga.

By Abigail S