BEIJING: As the research into the genesis of the coronavirus deepens raccoon dogs have been identified as the natural origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the sources, the analysis of genetic samples collected from a seafood market in Wuhan city revealed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in raccoon dogs sold at the venue.
A twist in the evidence comes weeks after an intelligence assessment from the US Department of Energy pointed out that an “accidental laboratory leak” from a virology laboratory in Wuhan was most likely the cause of the pandemic.
According to a report, the genetic data was drawn from swabs taken from in and around the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market starting in January 2020, “shortly after the Chinese authorities had shut down the market because of suspicions that it was linked to the outbreak of a new virus.”
The report mentioned that swabs were collected from the walls, floors and metal cages used for transporting animals. “In samples that came back positive for the coronavirus, the international research team found genetic material belonging to animals, including large amounts that were a match for the raccoon dog,” it said, quoting three scientists involved in the analysis.
However, there is no confirmation that the raccoon dogs were infected with the novel virus.
The first coronavirus case was reported in China’s Wuhan Province in December 2019. Globally, there have been 760,360,956 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,873,477 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.