"The Lancet": The investigation of the origin of the new coronavirus should not only be in China

The Chinese team "The Lancet" issued a paper: The investigation of the origin of the new crown virus should not only be in China

The Chinese team "The Lancet" issued a paper: The investigation of the origin of the new crown virus should not be only in China

"We have reasons to suggest that the next phase of investigation of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 should not only focus on China; on the contrary, a global search should be conducted to determine the time and location of the first animal-to-human transmission
.

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Recently, the international top medical journal "The Lancet" published an online correspondence (Correspondence) article of the Chinese team, entitled "To prevent a pandemic, a global traceability study of the new coronavirus should be carried out" (SARS-CoV).
-2s origin should be investigated worldwide for pandemic prevention), the authors clearly put forward the above suggestions in the article
.

The author of the article, including Chinese Medical Sciences , Institute of Pathogen Biology, Wu Zhiqiang, Jin Qi, money Zhaohui, Ren Lili, China CDC viral disease Control and Prevention Wugui Zhen, Tan Wenjie Xu Wenbo, Peking University, Lu Jian, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Genomics Institute (national Center for Biotechnology information) Li Kun, Sun Yat-Sen Guo silver, blue Ke Wuhan University, Beijing Union Medical College swarm of Medicine and School of public health von recorded call, Yang Wei, the Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing Union Medical College Wang Jianwei, Chinese Medical Sciences, Wang Chen Beijing Union Medical College Fellow
.

Academician of the Academy of Sciences, Academy of Sciences

The article points out that a number of studies conducted by scientists from all over the world have found that cross-species spills from animals to humans are the most likely source of SARS-CoV-2, and laboratory leaks are extremely unlikely
.

After inspecting the Wuhan Biosafety Laboratory, the WHO joint expert group also concluded that the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 through laboratory incidents is "extremely impossible

The authors finally emphasized that it is important to find evidence of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 through scientific investigations
.

Previous track emerging viruses (such as AIDS drug) originated experience has shown that this task can be very difficult and time consuming, but the epidemic was first reported location is not necessarily its birthplace

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The Chinese team pointed out that Chinese scientists are willing, as always, to work with scientists around the world to objectively explore the scientific complexity of the origin of the virus based on the principle of open cooperation
.

Any hypothesis lacking scientific evidence may lead to divisions within the scientific community and between different populations

"Man-made virus" or "laboratory leak" is extremely unlikely

"Man-made virus" or "laboratory leak" is extremely unlikely

The article mentioned that since China first reported the COVID-19 epidemic to the international community in early January 2020, the traceability of SARS-CoV-2 has been highly concerned around the world
.

Multiple studies conducted by scientists from all over the world have found that cross-species spills from animals to humans are the most likely source of SARS-CoV-2, and laboratory leaks are extremely unlikely

The article writes that the virus can indeed be made in a laboratory; however, there is no scientific evidence to support the view that SARS-CoV-2 is artificial, and there is no data to support any laboratory operating SARS-CoV-2 before the COVID- 19 pandemic.
The view of its near ancestors
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They noted that China Kexue Yuan Wuhan Institute of Virology earlier in the "natural" first reported the bat coronaviruses RaTG13 with SARS-CoV-2 genome with high sequence homology (92%), but there are still more than 1,000 nuclear The difference of glycidyl acid
.

The scientific community has reached a broad consensus that this virus cannot be a direct source of SARS-CoV-2, or even a template for the synthesis of SARS-CoV-2

Academy of Sciences

The article stated that since the SARS outbreak in 2003, China has established a strict management and supervision system, regulated the activities of high-level biosafety laboratories, and formulated a series of related laws and regulations
.

These laws and regulations establish a strict and complete chain management system in terms of laboratory access, personnel qualifications, research plan review, experimental operation supervision, facility and equipment operation, waste disposal, and laboratory personnel health supervision

After investigating the Wuhan Biosafety Laboratory, the WHO joint expert group concluded that it is “extremely impossible” to introduce SARS-CoV-2 through laboratory incidents
.

Therefore, in the absence of evidence, laboratory sources should not be the priority for the investigation of the traceability of SARS-CoV-2 at this time

SARS-CoV-2 traceability is a difficult task

SARS-CoV-2 traceability is a difficult task

Historically, the emergence of human infectious diseases was mostly caused by the cross-species breakthrough of animal-derived pathogens
.

So far, the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2 is the most likely scenario
.
Determining the exact natural origin of the virus also helps to rule out other hypotheses
.

The article writes that the codon preference characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and its genome structure indicate that the virus is highly similar to the coronavirus carried by wild animals
.
The evolutionary history of the virus in animals and its rapid adaptive mutations in infected people also indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is more likely to come from nature than other potential sources
.

They pointed out that SARS-CoV-2 related viruses are entirely possible to repeatedly cross the species barrier between humans and animals in many parts of the world
.
In fact, it is almost certain that the spread of this animal to humans is happening repeatedly
.
Before the virus infects humans, there are many failed cross-species jumps
.
Therefore, it is also very important to track the potential intermediate hosts of this spread of zoonotic diseases and viruses in a larger range of animal species in the real world
.

Based on the current progress of traceability research, the source of SARS-CoV-2 may be very complicated, which also shows that the traceability of SARS-CoV-2 is a difficult task
.
A number of previous studies have found that SARS-CoV-2 may already exist before the end of December 2019
.
Wuhan first reported the COVID-19 outbreak at the end of December 2019, but evolutionary dynamics analysis shows that the COVID-19 outbreak may begin before the end of December 2019
.
Many places around the world have also previously reported that there may be COVID-19 cases and environmental positive samples in December 2019 and before
.

In addition, it is worth noting that they mentioned that studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 may also spread through the cold chain
.
In 2020, COVID-19 outbreaks related to contact with frozen seafood have occurred in many areas such as Beijing and Qingdao in China.
The nucleic acid of the new coronavirus has been detected from frozen food and its outer packaging, and even live virus has been isolated.
Cold chain transportation may play an important role in the spread of the new coronavirus
.
Workers in the cold chain environment may become infected due to contact with contaminated products and become a new source of infection
.
This means that SARS-CoV-2 can cause cross-regional infection and spread the epidemic through the cold chain, so the earliest discovery of the virus is not necessarily the origin of the virus
.

The investigation should not only focus on China, but should be conducted globally

The investigation should not only focus on China, but should be conducted globally

The article pointed out that in view of the complexity of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and the unresolved problems revealed by the first phase traceability research conducted by the WHO-China joint expert group around Wuhan, there is an urgent need to carry out extensive international cooperation and integrate multiple tests.
Technology to check early cases and potential positive samples before the earliest report of the epidemic
.
In addition to combining genome sequencing, clinical and epidemiological research data, and environmental testing results, the authors suggest that the next phase of investigation of the source of SARS-CoV-2 should be conducted simultaneously in multiple locations, not just in China
.

First, collect wild animal samples, test and analyze sarbecoviruses and related serum antibodies in areas where other wild animals have not been sampled or under-sampled, especially hotspots where key species exist.
Source virus
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Second, on the basis of drawing lessons from the upstream and downstream supply chain survey experience of China's wild animal market, conduct retrospective surveys of global cross-regional wild animal markets and upstream and downstream supply chains, collect samples, and preserve early animal and environmental samples as much as possible; detect viruses Or related serum antis
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Third, based on the above possible early case clues, retrospective studies will be carried out globally, including the search and re-identification of suspicious cases and dead cases, and laboratory reconsideration of possible samples of early patient swabs, tissues, and blood banks.
Check
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Fourth, by integrating molecular epidemiological data of global high-quality viral genome information, phylogenetic analysis and ancestral time analysis, combined with epidemiological and geographic information, construct the evolutionary history of the virus lineage, and estimate the initial virus number and dynamic reproduction speed
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Fifth
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In order to further evaluate the potential role of the cold chain in the introduction and spread of SARS-CoV-2, retrospective sampling tests should be carried out to trace the source of cold chain imports, and further analyze the viability and infection of SARS-CoV-2 at different temperatures Sex
.

The article emphasizes that SARS-CoV-2 is the common enemy of mankind
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Like other infectious diseases, it knows no borders
.
In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, mankind must work together
.
In response to the challenge, even in the most difficult period of China's fight against the epidemic, Chinese scientists and medical staff have always maintained an open and cooperative attitude, actively cooperated with the international scientific community in all aspects, and provided accurate data without reservation
.

They pointed out that there is not enough evidence to determine whether the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2 is in China or elsewhere
.
Since Wuhan first reported the COVID-19 outbreak, in the past year, a research team convened by the WHO and Chinese experts have conducted extensive investigations in Wuhan
.
However, so far, no credible evidence has been found to support the initial animal-to-human adaptation in Wuhan
.

The article writes that we have reasons to suggest that the next stage of investigation of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 should not only focus on China; on the contrary, a global search should be conducted to determine the time and location of the first animal-to-human transmission
.

At the end of the article, it is important to find evidence of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 through scientific investigation
.
Previous track emerging viruses (such as AIDS drug) originated experience has shown that this task can be very difficult and time consuming, but the epidemic was first reported location is not necessarily its birthplace
.
In addition, the investigation of the origin of SARS-CoV-2 should be carried out by scientists on a scientific basis, and should not be interfered or coerced by political forces
.

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The authors emphasize that our most powerful weapon for preventing and controlling future pandemics is unity and cooperation, which not only conforms to the common interests of mankind, but is also the cornerstone of the human health community
.

The Chinese team pointed out that Chinese scientists are willing, as always, to work with scientists around the world to objectively explore the scientific complexity of the origin of the virus based on the principle of open cooperation
.
Any hypothesis lacking scientific evidence may lead to divisions within the scientific community and between different populations
.
Such assumptions are not conducive to the solidarity and cooperation required by the global fight against the new crown epidemic, and it also violates the spirit of science and humanitarianism
.

Focus on the new crown pneumonia epidemic