Part 8/13:
Tracing the origins of COVID-19 remains a crucial scientific pursuit. Most experts support the theory that the virus originated in animal hosts—most likely bats—given historical precedence with viruses like SARS and MERS. Bats are recognized as reservoirs for many coronaviruses, often harboring low-level infections that can, through intermediate hosts, jump to humans.
Investigations point to the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan as a potential epicenter, where environmental samples and the presence of mammalian animal products helped identify possible animal sources like pangolins or civets. The genetic sequence of the virus was rapidly and efficiently decoded by Chinese scientists, sharing data globally—and enabling the scientific community to track its evolution.