Question

1. Describe the origin of COVID-19 as a zoonosis.

Answer 1

Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Zoonotic origins COVID-19 is a zoonotic virus.

From phylogenetics analyses undertaken with available full genome sequences, bats appear to be the reservoir of COVID-19 virus, but the intermediate host(s) has not yet been identified. However, three important areas of work are already underway in China to inform our understanding of the zoonotic origin of this outbreak. These include early investigations of cases with symptom onset in Wuhan throughout December 2019, environmental sampling from the Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market and other area markets, and the collection of detailed records on the source and type of wildlife species sold at the Huanan market and the destination of those animals after the market was closed.