Subject Guides: Topic: Coronavirus (Covid-19): Coronavirus (Covid-19) Origin

Origin: Wuhan Institute of Virology or Huanan Wet Market

China has not provided full access to Wuhan for scientists from other countries to study the origin. This is a sample of articles about the origin. Be sure to evaluate the credibility of any article on this topic. Also, note if there are any possible conflicts of interests for the scientists/authors.

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Wuhan Institute of Virology (Photo by Reuters/Thomas Peter)

How to Evaluate Articles (Concordia U)
Simple list to guide you through the evaluation of an article.
Key Scientist in Covid Origin Controversy misled Congress on Status of $8.9 Million NIH Grant
Did politics play a role in Dr Kristian Andersen changing his mind on Covid coming from the Wuhan lab versus the wet market? (The Intercept, 7/21/23) *Open in a private window to read without signing up for The Intercept.
New Evidence Supports Animal Origin of COVID Virus through Raccoon Dogs
"Genetic sequences show evidence of raccoon dogs and other animals at the Wuhan market sites where SARS-CoV-2 was found in early 2020, adding to evidence of a natural spillover event." (Scientific American, 3/17/23)
Covid Origin: Why the Wuhan Lab Leak Theory is so Disputed
"... the controversial claim that the pandemic might have leaked from a Chinese laboratory - once dismissed by many as a fringe conspiracy theory - resurfaced with FBI Director Christopher Wray's comments that the bureau believes Covid-19 "most likely" originated in a "Chinese government-controlled lab" (BBC, 3/1/23)
Why Confirming the Origin of Covid-19 Matters (JHU)
Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health article on why it's important to know the origin of the virus. (8/19/22)
The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2 (correspondence)
"Since the first reports of novel pneumonia (COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei province, China1,2, there has been considerable discussion on the origin of the causative virus,..." (Nature Medicine, 3/17/20
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Origin Statement
"Research evidence suggests that SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV originated in bats. SARS-CoV then spread from infected civets to people, ..." (3/16/22)
Wuhan Lab Staff Sought Hospital Care Before COVID-19 Outbreak Disclosed - WSJ
Researchers sought hospital care prior to China reporting first COVID-10 cases. (Reuters, 5/23/21)
Wuhan Seafood Market May Not be Source of Novel Virus Spreading Globalyl
Description of earliest cases suggests outbreak began elsewhere. (Science, 1/26/20)

Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market, in Wuhan, China (Imageinechina Limited/Alamy)

Origin: Selected Videos

Fauci on Lab Leak (CNN, 3/11/23)