Johannesburg/London: A World Health Organization scientist said Covid-19 comes from bats and can spread among cats, amid an international debate about the virus’s origin.
The novel coronavirus comes from a group of viruses that originate or spread in bats, and it’s still unclear what animal may have transmitted the disease to humans, Peter Ben Embarek, a WHO expert in animal diseases that jump to humans, said Friday in a briefing with reporters. The virus probably arrived in humans through contact with animals raised to supply food, he said.
Recent studies showed that cats can transmit the virus to other cats and the WHO is aware of instances of pets of Covid-19 patients being infected, it said in a statement Friday. While precautions should be taken to avoid the infection of pets from close contact with Covid-19 human cases, further evidence is needed to understand if animals and pets can spread the disease. It’s important to find out which animals can get infected to avoid creating a “reservoir” in another species, Ben Embarek said.
Questions about the origin of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the pandemic, have intensified since U.S. President Donald Trump suggested it came from a laboratory in China. Germany most recently questioned the claim, made by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Der Spiegel reported. Intelligence services from five countries, including the U.S., were unable to confirm his statements, it said. Scientists who have studied the issue maintain that the virus originated in an animal, and probably entered the human population in November.
New Mission
WHO scientists are considering a new mission to China to get more information about the virus’s animal origin, Maria van Kerkhove, one of the agency’s top epidemiologists, said at a press briefing Wednesday. Questions remain about whether the virus traveled directly from bats to people, or if other species were involved.
Pangolins, armored mammals that live in Asia, have been found to harbor versions of Sars-CoV-2 that are similar to those in people. The WHO wanted to conduct more animal investigations on an earlier mission to China, but the lockdown of the outbreak’s epicenter in Wuhan made that impractical, Ben Embarek has said.
The first human cases were detected in and around Wuhan, and most of those people had contact with the animal market, though not all, Ben Embarek said.
Trump has doubled down on claims that the Chinese mistakenly released the virus from the laboratory as the outbreak in the U.S. has grown to become the world’s largest and deadliest. Chinese officials have said that the U.S. has no evidence to back up those claims and called the allegations a blame game.-Bloomberg
Also read: Novel coronavirus outbreak could have begun as early as 6 October 2019: New study
Seriously people, the earth does not spin for you. We are talking about a form of life that existed billions of years. You seriously underestimate such a creature’s will to live. To say we live in the domain of the microscopic world is pretty much right on the mark. Considering the only defense we have made was cellular colonization and enlisted protist white blood cells. ( Like humans with dogs).
This form of life just needs the conditions. Rust, rotting oranges..happen everywhere.
So wether it starts with cats, dogs , chinese labs is unimportant. We have to figure out it’s predator. If non exist naturally, then we have to invent it.
Everyone here is acting like a spoiled kid. The fact that even cells have no real fight against viruses, save making fake protien in metabolism or the horseshoe crab, a survivor of a mass extinction revolving around a global pandemic that wiped out 95 percent of life on earth. Only has a method of suffocating the virus, should be in your minds. This is the real nature we are dealing with.
If you wanna whine and blame make cromagnon gestures then go ahead.
Personally i would like to see if for whatever reason we actually solve this. If we can actually solve the common cold. What an achievement that would be for the human race.
This all come from China and trump and Boris has known about from the start I have three ferrets and they’re all completely healthy and fine so to say that it’s spread from animals is total bullshit the who and world governments can all go to hell and die a horrible death
Classic misinformation here folks. The title says coronavirus comes from bats. Coronavirus is a generic term for numerous viruses stemming from bats. This article to trying to influence belief of covid-19 having been transmitted by animals. Another CCP mouthpiece trying to deflect blame. Also, the WHO has lost its credibility so citing its opinion instantly loses credit for any article.
At this point most people believe that it came from the Wuhan lab. Why? Because in the absence of hard proof that’s where common sense points to.
Your conspiracy theories don’t matter. They’re nothing more than hallucinations caused by underlying pain. Seek a therapist before you take a dump on scientists, you’re not enough to be one anyways.
Theories, theories and more theories! Please dont put false information like this out there. There is alot of anecdotal evidence that many people are abandoning their animals after seeing articles such as this.
Amen
That is bull.shit…..! This virus was similar to a coronavirus in bats but did not match the last four markers were different. I must also add that certain special forces went and retreived multiple samples this virus is not found in any.animal on this planet. The virus is a bat coronavirus that had the last for genetic markers changed to attach to human ace 2. So yes fuck the W.H.O . And China we will bring all factorys home we will make our own shit and you can figure out how to feed and employee your people. We ought to nuke your fucking asses and could before you even had a chance to arm you tired of humanity
None of what you said makes any sense. Suggesting nuking a country along with your nonsense statement, makes me think you’re actually Donald Trump??
Now I know where all the conspiracy theory but jobs hang out of an evening
Dude, it is hard to understand your writing. Please, learn about basic punctuation and consider it in your posts!
I love all the armchair epidemiologists pontificating here in the comments as though they have hundreds of millions of dollars in budgets at their control to perform testing and publish peer reviewed research findings. Seriously, folks (Laura) just STFU – your feelpinions are just going to look stupid in a months time.
Who will believe WHO
Giving new theory to divert from China.
Anyone who still believes it isj a credible source is sorely mistaken they are totally bought and paid for by the Chinese . and they must share the blame for the lies and disinformation. They appear to have assisted in the in plantation of the virus in EUrope!
Why even headline anything about cats catching the virus since they can only spread it to other cats and not humans please make that clear. Otherwise people immediately want to dump there pets and that is so cruel and unfair to pets leaving them homeless or dead
I completely agree & thought the exact same thing. Being the manager of the cattery at an animal shelter and can tell you people are dumping their cats &dogs since they started saying cats and dogs can get covid19, however they arent printing the basic fact that cats & dogs CAN NOT GIVE YOU COVID19! THEY CATCH IT FROM YOU BUT YOU CANT CATCH IT FROM THEM! People please dont overreact and stop dumping your pets, if cats and dogs transmitted covid19 then you wouldve been reading about all the people in animal rescue catching covid19 which isnt happening. Dont believe everything you read. Do your research & use common sense.
Thank you!!!! My thoughts exactly!!!
A recent comment came from a Japanese scientist which clearly says that any viruses for that matter will live in a particular temperature only which suits to its body. Now the question is that there is a big variations in temperature in different countries in the world. Then how can Covid-19 virus can exist the whole world where different climatic conditions exists. Hence ,the scientist says that the origin of Covid-19 is from the Wuhan lab.in China.
No. In fact they have said for around a month now that it can exist in any climate by is less functional in colder climates. No one has ever said it relies on a particular climate.
WHOblah hoopla
What a bunch of lies .the dog eating Chinese have been eating these animals forever .they made it threw animal transfer then to human . Communists why do you all trust them
Evidence is the key word , it’s all very well to point the blame but it’s about time all opinions should be muted unless they can prove their statements . Judy Gleeson .
At last someone with sense!
WHO listens to the WHO….not I
Lol the WHO ??
Fart
Lies lies lies. This was a bio weapon all the way in hopes it would finally be the nail in the coffin to oust Our great President Trump. Guess what? It’s not going to work. Us deplorables are backing our president all the way no matter what happens or what the fake news reports. Were just a little smarter then you might think you fucking maggots! Mr president fire the corrupt and treasonous Dr Fauci NOW!! Hes a dirtbag prick
What???? Are you joking????
Speak for yourself. Not my president.
Yeah right! We are not stupid it came from the lab and Corona virus in cats has nothing to do with COVID 19. The Chinese did this on purpose to damaged the economy.
THIS DID NOT COME FROM A BAT. I have a very close family member who works for, WHO and people please listen, This did not come from a bat. It was made in a lab as a test for chemical warfare.
You are absolutely correct and there is plenty of evidence to prove it! Y’all need to check out an independent journalism paper called the Epoch Times. They have an article that documents the studies of the head scientist at Wuhan lab. The virus that “accidentally” escaped was biologically engineered by her and was tested on rats whose lungs were destroyed. She was preparing to test it on primates next!! Biological warfare intended!! What idiot would believe anything that the WHO or Chinese communists say?? They are one in the same.
Just mikovits has broken the deep state web of lies!!!!
Stop laying the blame on animals when its people’s fault these viruses mutate with unhealthy culinary and farming practices.
China is to blame for much of this. They are so ignorant to what they are doing. No words for these people…
These comments though… Do any of you stop to think about how absolutely ridiculous that you sound? Honestly, does it even matter where originated at this point? People are dying, horribly. How about we focus on a cure and a solution instead of these asinine conspiracy theories? We need to be discussing positive reinforcements to make sure that we can prevent the extreme spreading of the next pandemic that will, undoubtedly, happen- eventually.
Origin matters. Obviously, nobody can reverse-engineer a vaccine let alone a cure. So, knowing where it came from will certainly help. But as we know Ch dont and will never allow anyone to investigate in their territory for obvious reasons. Come on, do we really have to say it out loud?
Amen
A voice of reason, thank you. Starting to think everyone was crazy reading these comments.
Lyme disease also. From an island lab off coast of Connecticut.
It came from bats and was modified in a lvl 4 lab in Wuhan…yes yes we know.
I believe the virus was released into population. Purposly
I agree.
Scaremongering! Who the hell do we listen to? BELIEVE??? until the scientist’s find the hosts cause, be it wild animal /bat pangolin!! cerval wet market Or chinese laboratory mishap!! We will not know for sure! Or god forbid we will never know…
And now they are saying it may have started as, early as, November!!! If thats right we could have had a head start on this!!! Boris should have locked us, down sooner!!
What are you all doing wasting time your talking rubbish that doesn’t fit the bill how on earth in gods name can you stop this desease YES its not a virus but a DESEASE I Am talking sense I have had Multiple Sclerosis desease for 23yrs has affected every which way it can am still trying to get £3 000 to go for stem cell treatment cannot get it on NHS I know there is a win/lose chance I have + will never stop battling this cannot let it beat me I am paying £126 every month for a mobility scooter if not I am wheelchair bound but not for me just can’t see a way out at all in the war schools were open also shops church was open all we have to do is bang a pan every Thurs at 8pm godbless to all of us see you at the pearly gates love you xx
Of cause it has come from a lab cannot be stopped the 3 scientists who made it caught the desease all are dead now means cannot be stopped only calmed down like my own body put it politely its Fukd the whole world no running away
…to deflect the blame, this has to be issued now. Wait for other experts to tell us WHO, WHY and HOW and and not WHAT animal caused this pandemic. We know WHERE it came from!
“A scientist from the WHO says Covid-19 came from bats” Must be true then. No further research needed. Just take it as fact. Don’t question anything. Nothing to be suspicious about. Just believe whatever a WHO scientist says and be on your way. Nevermind all the ‘gain-of -function’ research that was taking place at the Wuhan lab on coronavirus’s. Nothing to see there.
This news source must hate cats and ferrets.
Please get over your hate for Trump and stop sucking on China’s soon to be removed balls. (The Government, not the people)
19 was made in a lab. Please stop telling lies.
Coronavirus came because humans eat what they’re not supposed to eat. Things will not improve because Chinese will never change their eating habits. The frequency of pandemics will increase now.
Corona virus came because dumb humans eat bats unnecessarily.
Things will not improve because Chinese won’t improve. Frequency of pandemics will now increase.
WHO, till now not confirm yet how it spread, where virus originated. As I belief with Donald trump, that virus covid 19 is a China Corona Virus, man made vitus, biological weapon made in Wuhan. The Chinese govt already buy over WHO to support the Chinese govt report that virus came from bats, as the Chinese were telling earlier. Wuhan market. grand pa stories, why becos US stop giving funds to WHO. WHO turn to China. for fund,
I belief US president. My Reguest make sure the culprit must bought to international court. Charge them servely
And WHO helped China with the cover-up and delayed announcements about the severity of the Chinese flu.
These media outlets need to start facing lawsuits for reporting and spreading lies. This story is BS through and through. The WHO………are there any reporters out there who know what the WHO has been caught doing?
And WHO helped China with the cover-up and delayed announcements about the severity of the Chinese flu.
Ferrets!!!!! Oh, no. Not the Ferrets.
It is not known where the virus originated.
Covid-19 was mentioned in a Chinese/Japanese teen drama show that was filmed 1n 2018, my kid showed me and there in the subtitles at the scene of a scientist chatting to someone COVID-19 pops across the bottom of the screen, I kid you not. You tube folks and you will find the show. It’s also on Netflix
It originated in CHINA. Trump. Is correct ex 1. Resources are receding ex 2. Economy control ex. 3 population reduction 1 yr ago china china china trade unfairness can u guess it?
Terrible to release unverified and unsubstantiated info because people will be abandoning their pets of ignorance and fear. For Shame!!
The average person knows more about covid-19 than virologists, doctors, and scientists. I know because I have seen the proof on social media.
The average person knows more about covid-19 than virologists, doctors, and scientists. I know because I have seen the proof on social media.
Totally agree more lies from WHO !!!!
Why do they keep telling us there lies
I call bullshit!. They must think we are stupid
Lies! Several scientist have stated this is not possible.