ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Coronavirus

WHO's Wuhan team calls coronavirus lab leak 'extremely unlikely'

Experts say SARS-CoV-2 likely jumped from animals but fail to pinpoint source

HONG KONG -- The World Health Organization-led team probing the origins of COVID-19 said Tuesday that the virus "most likely" jumped from animals to humans via an intermediary host, but said additional research was needed to pinpoint the source.

Speaking after a four-week stay in Wuhan -- the central Chinese city where the first coronavirus cases were reported -- WHO investigators said it was "extremely unlikely" that the virus leaked from a lab. They ruled out further studies of this theory, pushed by former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration last year amid its diplomatic battle with Beijing.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more