WHO: Lab leak cannot be ruled out as Covid source
The report said that the 'weight of available evidence' suggested a zoonotic spillover, but warned investigators could not 'conclude with certainty where and when this occurred'.
The WHO has called for an independent review of what research was being carried out in laboratories near the wet market, including biosafety practices and the health of staff prior to the outbreak.
Before the pandemic, WIV had collected more than 220 Sars-related coronaviruses, at least 100 of which were never made public.
Members of staff were also photographed wearing inadequate levels of personal protective equipment while handling bats.
US intelligence also discovered that three researchers at WIV had sought treatment at a hospital after falling ill with Covid-like symptoms in November 2019.
In 2023, a US Senate committee inquiry concluded: 'The preponderance of circumstantial evidence supports an unintentional research-related incident.'
WIV was stripped of United States government funding the same year after it was determined the laboratory had conducted dangerous experiments that increased the potency of coronaviruses before the pandemic.
Dr Marietjie Venter, chairman of the Sago group said: 'Understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and how it sparked a pandemic is needed to help prevent future pandemics, save lives and livelihoods, and reduce global suffering.'
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