Latest news with #Sars-CoV-2
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First Post
5 days ago
- Health
- First Post
Is the Covid 'lab-leak' theory incorrect? What new study reveals
A study by the University of Edinburgh suggests Covid-19 did not originate in China's Wuhan but evolved naturally in the bat population in northern Laos and China's Yunnan province. The study, now published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, challenges the 'lab-leak' theory championed by US President Donald Trump. Here's what it says read more A new study led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh claims that Covid-19 did not originate in labs in China's Wuhan but most likely evolved naturally in Southeast Asia. Image for Representation. Reuters More than four years since the world was brought to a standstill by Covid-19, the question of how the virus first emerged continues to spark fierce debate. Was it the result of a catastrophic lab accident in Wuhan? or did it did it naturally spill over from animals sold in wet markets? Now, a major new study led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh throws fresh weight behind the latter theory, claiming that Covid-19 did not originate in labs in China's Wuhan but most likely evolved naturally in the bat population in Southeast Asia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The new study has now challenged the 'lab-leak theory' championed by US officials, including President Donald Trump. Here's what it says. What does the Edinburgh study explain? The study published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell earlier this month has provided what scientists are calling the strongest genetic evidence yet against the lab leak theory of Covid-19 's origin. Led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and involving experts from 20 institutions across the US, Europe, and Asia, the study analysed 167 genomes of bat coronaviruses. Their aim was to trace the evolutionary history of the virus that caused the global pandemic. The team found that the closest known relatives of Sars-CoV-2 — the virus responsible for Covid-19 — were circulating in bat populations in northern Laos and China's Yunnan province. According to the findings, the virus's most recent ancestor likely emerged five to seven years before Covid-19 was first detected in late 2019. The team found that the closest known relatives of Sars-CoV-2 — the virus responsible for Covid-19 — were circulating in bat populations in northern Laos and China's Yunnan province. File image/Reuters 'The data clearly indicate that the progenitor of Sars-CoV-2 was circulating in bats thousands of kilometres away from Wuhan,' lead author Jonathan Pekar said in an interview with science news outlet EurekAlert. 'This puts the virus's evolutionary origins well outside the geographic scope of Wuhan's research facilities.' This conclusion directly challenges the lab leak theory, a narrative that is heavily pushed by US President Donald Trump and other officials, claiming that the virus escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan. In fact, the White House website, which once focused primarily on testing and vaccination efforts, now prominently features the words 'LAB LEAK,' 'TRUTH,' and 'ORIGIN' in bold capital letters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump and other officials support the lab leak theory, claiming that the Covid-19 virus escaped from a laboratory in Wuhan. File image/ AFP This version of events argues that Covid-19 has biological markers not commonly found in naturally occurring viruses, and that researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) showed Covid-like symptoms in late 2019, before the virus was linked to the now-infamous wet market. It also insists that had the virus emerged naturally, the scientific evidence would have surfaced clearly by now. But the Edinburgh study now presents a sharply different narrative. Was illegal wildlife trade responsible for Covid-19? The latest research points to human-driven activity, particularly the illegal wildlife trade, as a likely factor behind the spread of the virus that caused Covid-19. According to researchers, the most recent ancestor of the virus likely emerged around 2017. Its closest genetic relatives have been found in bat species from northern Laos, which is more than 2,700 kilometres away from Wuhan, far beyond the typical migration range of bats. So, scientists believe it was the movement of infected animals through illegal trade networks that brought the virus closer to human populations. Scientists believe it was the movement of infected animals through illegal trade networks that brought the Covid-19 viruses closer to human populations. Image for Representation. Reuters Senior author Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona, highlighted how this pattern isn't new. 'The Sars-CoV-1 virus also appeared far from its bat origins due to intermediate hosts like palm civets and raccoon dogs. This pattern likely repeated with Sars-CoV-2,' he told the South China Morning Post. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This suggests that it wasn't natural migration, but the human exploitation of wildlife, through trade and trafficking, that played a critical role in spreading the virus to densely populated areas. The migration of the virus that causes Covid-19 mirrors historical zoonotic outbreaks, the Manchurian plague of 1910, for instance, was triggered when marmots carrying Yersinia pestis were transported via the Trans-Siberian Railway from Russia into Harbin, China. That outbreak killed over 60,000 people. However, unlike the well-documented origins of the Manchurian plague and Sars, Covid-19's exact transmission pathway from bats to humans still remains a mystery. With input from agencies
The Star
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Made-in-Singapore antibody test for multiple viruses now used worldwide
SINGAPORE: A test developed by local researchers to help tackle the next pandemic is now in use in more than 90 countries. Known as the multiplex surrogate virus neutralisation test (sVNT), it can detect if a person has antibodies capable of neutralising multiple viruses to prevent disease. Such antibodies offer protection against a variety of highly pathogenic viruses, including variants of Sars-CoV-2 – the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. The test can also be used for other pathogens such as Ebola and henipaviruses, a group of zoonotic viruses such as Nipah. Experts have warned that zoonotic viruses – transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa – could spark future pandemics. The test was developed by a team led by Dr Tan Chee Wah of the microbiology and immunology department at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) and Professor Wang Linfa of the emerging infectious diseases programme at Duke-NUS Medical School. It has a number of benefits, Prof Wang noted, especially its ability to measure neutralising antibodies. 'Neutralising antibodies are a functional measure of your immunity. So if you have a high level (of them), you will most likely be protected against future infection,' he said. This ability to measure an individual's immunity can in turn be used to determine the efficacy of new vaccines, he added. Such insights could then be used to make future vaccines more effective by broadening their coverage to include a variety of different, but related, viruses, said Prof Wang. The test can also support contact tracing in future epidemics by enabling the authorities to identify individuals who were previously infected and developed antibodies, thereby uncovering the chains of transmission. It can be used on animals as well, Prof Wang added, noting its use in tracing the spread of Sars-CoV-2 from humans to white-tailed deer in a US study published in the journal Nature Communications in 2023. This is important as future pandemics are likely to be the result of zoonotic diseases, as was the case for Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and Covid-19, said Professor Paul Tambyah from NUS Medicine. Dr Tan noted that another advantage is that the test does not require the use of a live virus – which carries a risk of infection – to determine the presence of neutralising antibodies. Instead, it requires only a spike protein from the virus – the component that the virus relies on to invade human cells, which is relatively harmless on its own. The multiplex sVNT was developed under the Integrated Innovations in Infectious Diseases (I3D) large collaborative grant, funded by the National Medical Research Council. Established under the Ministry of Health in 1994, the council oversees the development and advancement of medical research in Singapore. The test kit is based on cPass, the first commercial tool to detect whether someone has antibodies that neutralise Sars-CoV-2. Developed in 2020, cPass was created by a team led by Prof Wang, in collaboration with biotech firm GenScript and A*Star's Diagnostics Development Hub. The US Food and Drug Administration granted cPass emergency use approval in November 2020. However, cPass was limited in its ability to detect the different variants of Covid-19 that emerged as the virus evolved, noted Prof Tambyah, who is also lead principal investigator of I3D. This underscored the need for an enhanced test, he said. The multiplex sVNT is now being used in more than 90 countries, Prof Wang noted. This includes at institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Indonesia and the University of Melbourne. The team is now trying to build a test that can be used for all the pathogens on the World Health Organisation's global priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Dr Tan said. Prof Wang added: 'The challenge now, and also our excitement, is trying to build up a really multi-family, multi-class surrogate virus neutralisation test, so that we're ready for any disease X'. The term 'disease X' refers to an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious global pandemic. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Singapore has been ramping up its pandemic preparedness efforts. In 2022, the Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response, headed by Prof Wang, was launched. With funding of $100 million over five years, it aims to bring together experts from various fields to respond to future infectious disease outbreaks. And in April 2025, a new statutory board – the Communicable Diseases Agency – was launched. It consolidates public health functions that detect and control infectious diseases, enabling a faster response to disease outbreaks. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Made-in-Singapore antibody test for multiple viruses now used worldwide
(From right) Professor Wang Linfa and Dr Tan Chee Wah, who together led the team that developed the antibody test, with Professor Paul Tambyah. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY SINGAPORE – A test developed by local researchers to help tackle the next pandemic is now in use in more than 90 countries. Known as the multiplex surrogate virus neutralisation test (sVNT), it can detect if a person has antibodies capable of neutralising multiple viruses to prevent disease. Such antibodies offer protection against a variety of highly pathogenic viruses, including variants of Sars-CoV-2 – the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. The test can also be used for other pathogens such as Ebola and henipaviruses, a group of zoonotic viruses such as Nipah. Experts have warned that zoonotic viruses – transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa – could spark future pandemics. The test was developed by a team led by Dr Tan Chee Wah of the microbiology and immunology department at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) and Professor Wang Linfa of the emerging infectious diseases programme at Duke-NUS Medical School. It has a number of benefits, Prof Wang noted, especially its ability to measure neutralising antibodies. 'Neutralising antibodies are a functional measure of your immunity. So if you have a high level (of them), you will most likely be protected against future infection,' he said. This ability to measure an individual's immunity can in turn be used to determine the efficacy of new vaccines, he added. Such insights could then be used to make future vaccines more effective by broadening their coverage to include a variety of different, but related, viruses, said Prof Wang. The test can also support contact tracing in future epidemics by enabling the authorities to identify individuals who were previously infected and developed antibodies, thereby uncovering the chains of transmission. It can be used on animals as well, Prof Wang added, noting its use in tracing the spread of Sars-CoV-2 from humans to white-tailed deer in a US study published in the journal Nature Communications in 2023. This is important as future pandemics are likely to be the result of zoonotic diseases, as was the case for Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and Covid-19, said Professor Paul Tambyah from NUS Medicine. Dr Tan noted that another advantage is that the test does not require the use of a live virus – which carries a risk of infection – to determine the presence of neutralising antibodies. Instead, it requires only a spike protein from the virus – the component that the virus relies on to invade human cells, which is relatively harmless on its own. The multiplex sVNT was developed under the Integrated Innovations in Infectious Diseases (I3D) large collaborative grant, funded by the National Medical Research Council. Established under the Ministry of Health in 1994, the council oversees the development and advancement of medical research in Singapore. The test kit is based on cPass, the first commercial tool to detect whether someone has antibodies that neutralise Sars-CoV-2. Developed in 2020, cPass was created by a team led by Prof Wang, in collaboration with biotech firm GenScript and A*Star's Diagnostics Development Hub. The US Food and Drug Administration granted cPass emergency use approval in November 2020. However, cPass was limited in its ability to detect the different variants of Covid-19 that emerged as the virus evolved, noted Prof Tambyah, who is also lead principal investigator of I3D. This underscored the need for an enhanced test, he said. The multiplex sVNT is now being used in more than 90 countries, Prof Wang noted. This includes at institutions such as the University of Oxford, the University of Indonesia and the University of Melbourne. The team is now trying to build a test that can be used for all the pathogens on the World Health Organisation's global priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Dr Tan said. Prof Wang added: 'The challenge now, and also our excitement, is trying to build up a really multi-family, multi-class surrogate virus neutralisation test, so that we're ready for any disease X'. The term 'disease X' refers to an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious global pandemic. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, Singapore has been ramping up its pandemic preparedness efforts. In 2022, the Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response, headed by Prof Wang, was launched. With funding of $100 million over five years, it aims to bring together experts from various fields to respond to future infectious disease outbreaks. And in April 2025, a new statutory board – the Communicable Diseases Agency – was launched. It consolidates public health functions that detect and control infectious diseases, enabling a faster response to disease outbreaks. Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
News18
18-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Covid-19 Surges Again In Hong Kong, Singapore: What's Causing The Spike?
Last Updated: According to health authorities, the increase in infections are likely because of waning population level immunity to the infection and fewer elderly getting their booster shots. Covid Cases in Asia: After a period of relative calm, Covid-19 infections are once again surging in densely populated financial hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore. The surge in cases has signalled a resurgent wave across Asia. According to the health authorities, the increase in infections are likely because of waning population level immunity to the infection and fewer elderly getting their booster shots. Cases In Singapore Singapore is on high alert as the estimated number of Covid-19 cases in the week ending on May 3 went up to 14,200 from 11,100 a week before. Daily hospitalisations also saw a roughly 30% increase. While factors such as waning population immunity could be contributing to the increase, Singapore's health ministry stated that there is currently 'no indication that the circulating variants are more transmissible — or cause more severe cases — than during the pandemic." The health authority added that LF.7 and NB.1.8 — both descendants of JN.1 variant that is used in new Covid-19 vaccines — were circulating in the country. These newer vaccines are unavailable in India. Cases In Hong Kong In Hong Kong, the virus has surged to a 'quite high" level, according to Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the city's Centre for Health Protection. The percentage of respiratory samples testing positive has reached its highest point in a year, accompanied by a rise in severe cases and fatalities. In the week ending May 3, 31 deaths were reported, marking a one-year high. Although the current wave hasn't hit the peaks seen in previous years, rising viral loads in sewage samples and increased Covid-related hospital visits and consultations point to widespread community transmission in the densely populated city of over 7 million. It has also seen an increase in Sars-CoV-2 viral load in sewage samples and an increase in respiratory samples testing positive for Covid-19, increasing to 13.66% in the week ending on May 10 as compared to 6.21 per cent four weeks ago, reported Indian Express. Indian Experts Urge Caution, Not Panic While the likelihood of a severe wave in India is minimal, staying alert remains a wise precaution, virologists and health experts told News18. Indian experts advise that there is no cause for panic, as the population largely has immunity against severe Covid-19. However, mild infections can still occur, often resembling common cold or flu symptoms. Therefore, it remains important to follow time-tested precautions during periods of active virus circulation — especially protecting children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Covid-19 surge in Hong Kong, Singapore: What's causing the spike?
Asian countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong have noted a surge in Covid-19 cases over the last few weeks. Health authorities in these countries have said that the increase may be because of waning population level immunity to the infection and fewer elderly getting their booster shots. 'There is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared to previously circulating variants,' said Singapore's ministry of health. What do the numbers say? Data from Singapore shows that the estimated number of Covid-19 cases in the week ending on May 3 went up to 14,200 from 11,100 a week before. The average daily hospitalisation due to Covid-19 during this period also increased from 102 to 133, but daily admissions to the ICU declined slightly from 3 to 2. The health authority added that LF.7 and NB.1.8 — both descendants of JN.1 variant that is used in new Covid-19 vaccines — were circulating in the country. These newer vaccines are unavailable in India. Hong Kong has seen an increase in Sars-CoV-2 viral load in sewage samples. It has also noted an increase in respiratory samples testing positive for Covid-19, increasing to 13.66 per cent in the week ending on May 10 as compared to 6.21 per cent four weeks ago. It has recorded 81 severe cases, with 30 deaths, almost all of which were in elderly people with underlying health conditions. Has Covid-19 become a seasonal infection? It is likely. Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) says, 'According to the surveillance data after the resumption of normalcy, there were two relatively active periods of COVID-19 in Hong Kong, which lasted for about 15 weeks from April to July 2023 and for about seven weeks from February to March last year. COVID-19 became more active in mid-April of this year (i.e. about four weeks ago).' Singapore's ministry of health says, 'As with other endemic respiratory diseases, periodic COVID-19 waves are expected throughout the year.' What about India? While not many are undergoing Covid-19 tests in India anymore, data collected from surveillance sites by ICMR laboratories show that there has been an increase in Covid-19 infections over the last few weeks — the number of Sars-Cov-2 positive samples increased to 41 during the week ending on May 11 as compared to 28 the week before, and 12 the week before that. However, the total number of respiratory infections has been on the decline since a surge in September last year. India typically witnesses two peaks of respiratory infections — one during the winter months and the second immediately after the monsoon. What should you do? There is no need to panic at the moment. However, if you do get a respiratory infection, stay at home so that you do not transmit it to others. Avoid closed or crowded spaces as much as possible. If you do have to step out, mask up. And, wash your hands as frequently as possible. These steps will keep you safe not just from Covid-19 but any other respiratory infection.
