COVID-19 origin and China lab leak theory. What do we know so far?

After more than a year of being denounced as a mere conspiracy theory, the idea that the novel coronavirus might have come from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is back into the spotlight. Several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have called for a thorough investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 3.7 million people, as per the latest count.

Also read: Why scientists are concerned about leaks at biolabs

So, what is the Wuhan lab leak theory?

According to it, the novel coronavirus (or, SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, came out of the Wuhan lab, accidentally or otherwise. 

Why has the Wuhan Institute of Virology been singled out?

The lab is situated near the coronavirus outbreak’s known epicentre of Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, where the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in 2019.

Who are the major supporters of the Wuhan lab leak theory?

Former US president Donald Trump and his then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo were among the supporters of the lab leak theory. Some even suggest that the virus was engineered by China as a possible biological weapon.

How has China reacted?

It has rejected the lab leak theory and has termed it a smear campaign and politicisation of the pandemic.

What did the WHO team find out?

In March this year, a team of World Health Organisation (WHO) and Chinese experts, who studied the origin of the coronavirus, deemed it “extremely unlikely” that the novel coronavirus escapted from the Wuhan lab.

Also read: CDC’s ex-director believes coronavirus ‘escaped’ from Wuhan lab

They zeroed it on the scenario that most likely the virus jumped from a bat to humans via an intermediary.

Why is the Wuhan Institute of Virology suddenly in the spotlight?

It all started with a US intelligence report that said three researchers at the Wuhan lab fell sick enough in November 2019 that they sought medical care. This was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

On May 26, Biden ordered the US intelligence agencies to “redouble their efforts” to find out the origins of SARS-CoV-2. On May 11, USA’s top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci said he was “not convinced” that the novel coronavirus developed naturally.

Is there any new information on the Wuhan lab leak?

As per the latest reports, as many as six Chinese miners fell ill with pneumonia-like symptoms way back in 2012. Three of them died. As per clues that involve scientific papers, the WIV and Chinese establishments were investigating coronaviruses found in the abandoned mine.

Who is spearheading this research?

A group named DRASTIC (Decentralized Radical Autonomous Search Team Investigating COVID-19) has hit headlines for spearheading the research into the origin of the pandemic and its connection to the Wuhan lab.

What are the DRASTIC?

It’s a group of 24 social media detectives with backgrounds in science. At least one of them is an Indian, most probably from Bhubneswar and goes by the name ‘The Seeker’ on Twitter.

Also read: ‘Important first step’: India supports WHO study on COVID-19 origins

In one Twitter thread, ‘The Seeker’ has explained at length the origin of the virus and its possible link with the Wuhan lab.

Also read: Brace for COVID-26 and COVID-32 unless virus origin is revealed: Experts

The investigation prompted US health expert Dr Anthony Fauci to seek the release of the medical records of the nine people, who fell sick since 2012.

“Welcome to the club, Fauci,” tweeted The Seeker.

Meanwhile, the novel coronavirus has globally infected more than 172.4 million people and killed 3.7 million of them.