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Friday, May 08, 2020, 23:01
WHO: COVID-19 originated in bats, can infect cats
By Agencies
Friday, May 08, 2020, 23:01 By Agencies

A World Health Organization scientist said COVID-19 comes from bats and can infect cats and ferrets, but more research is needed into the suspected animal link to the disease.

READ MORE: Experts debunk theory tracing virus origin to lab

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.

Questions remain about whether the virus traveled directly from bats to people, or if other species were involved

The virus probably arrived in humans through contact with animals raised for food supply, though scientists have yet to determine which species, he said. Studies have shown that cats and ferrets are susceptible to Covid-19, and dogs to a lesser extent, he said, adding that it’s important to find out which animals can get it to avoid creating a “reservoir” in another species.

ALSO READ: WHO reiterates novel coronavirus is 'natural in origin'

Questions about the origin of Sars-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the pandemic, have intensified since US President Donald Trump suggested it came from a laboratory in China. Germany most recently questioned the claim, made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Der Spiegel reported. Intelligence services from five countries, including the US, 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.

Pangolins, armored mammals that live in Asia, have been found to harbor versions of Sars-CoV-2 that are similar to those in people.

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.

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.


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