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1 1 (June 11, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govedqj0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UpdatedJune 11, 2021 Origins of the COVID-19 Pandemic In late 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in Wuhan, China. The virus, which causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has contributed to significant morbidity (illness) and mortality (death), as well as severe public health and economic effects, among other impacts. SeveralMembers ofCongress have made public statements and introduced legislation calling for an investigation into the origin of SARS-CoV-2. Determining the origin and pathway by which a zoonotic disease (i.e., one that originated in animals) emerges and is transmitted to humans can help s cientists prevent further outbreaks, inform the public health response, and aid in the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Further, such knowledge may guide the development of policies and practices thatreduce thepotential for the emergence of other zoonotic diseases. Determining the origin of zoonotic diseases can take years, and in some cases, an origin may never be conclusively identified. In May 2020, the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA)- the governingbody of the World Health Organization (WHO)-passed a resolution (WHA 73.1) requesting the WHO Director-General to identify the source of SARS- CoV-2 and the route oftransmissionto humans, among other things. WHO sent a teamto China in July 2020 to develop a workplan and begin collecting and analyzing data, including studies of all-cause mortality and deaths from respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, in and around Wuhanin late 2019; testing ofstored animalsamples for SARS-CoV-2; national disease surveillance data; and reports ofretailpharmacy purchases ofmedicines to reduce fevers and treat cold and flu symptoms. FromJanuary 14through February 10, 2021, a teamof 34 experts-17 from China and 17 from other countries and organizations-traveled to Wuhan to collect and analyze existing and additional data. On March 30,2021, WHO released its report on the mission, which summarized findings fromsite visits and discussions with Chinese local and national experts. Thereportpresented four hypotheses on the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and assessed their likelihood of being the cause. Origin Hypotheses: Independent Team Findings Hypotheses on SARS-CoV-2 origins follow and are illustrated in Figure 1. The team's findings are italicized. (1) Introduction through an intermediate host, a likely- to-very-likely hypothesis that an intermediatehost species, infected by an animalreservoir host (the animal where the virus lives, grows, andmultiplies), carried the virus and transmittedit to humans. No intermediatehosts have been identified. (2) Direct zoonotic spillover, a possible-to-likely pathway throughwhich SARS-CoV-2 could havebeen transmitted froman animal reservoirhostto ahuman. Bats are seen as a likely res ervoir host, as several studies have identified high genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses found in certain batspecies found in China and elsewhere in South Asia. (3) Introduction through cold/food-chain products, a possible hypothesis positing that people contracted SARS-CoV-2 through contact with contaminated food, potentially including frozen, imported foodstuffs. SARS- CoV-2 has been identified on frozen food, its packaging, and cold-chain products (items stored at controlled temperatures to preserve and extend shelf life). (4) Introduction through a laboratory incident, an extremely unlikely hypothesis considering whether laboratory staff accidentally contracted and later spread SARS-CoV-2 while researching coronaviruses in bats. The WHOreport did not consider a hypothesis that the virus was released intentionally, stating thatit had beenruled out by other s cientists. Ultimately, the investigators did notidentify the sourceof SARS-CoV-2 and recommended further studies. The team also called for regular administrative and internal reviews of high-levelbiosafety laboratories worldwide to address what they characterized as the need for more data. U.S. Government Responseto the Report On March 30, 2021, the United States and 13 other countries issued a joint statement expressing concerns about delays and access to complete, originaldata and s amles. Also in March. American health exoerts and more than 50 other international snecialis ts published an oven letter that describedtheshortcomings ofthe study andcalled for establishing a structure and process outside of WHO for conducting subsequent investigations. U.S. officials are reconsidering previously dis counted as sertions by the Trump Administration that thepandemic may have originated froma laboratory accidentin Wuhan, China. President Joe Biden directed the Intelligence Community to report its finding on the matterby August 2021. Observers note that the closest known strain to SARS CoV-2has been sequenced at the Wuhan Institute of Viro logv (WIV). DNA sea uencin gis the nrocess of determining thenucleic acid sequence of a gene, not creating or manipulating a gene. U.S. Efforts to Control Zoonotic Diseases For decades, U.S. federal agencies have worked to strengthen international bio security and advance global pandemic prep aredness. This section summarizes selected efforts related to the four hypotheses. https://crs repc

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