In the study, Shi’s team at the Wuhan Institute of Virology assessed the risk of 40 coronaviruses spreading to humans and rated half of them as “high risk.”
Of these, six are already known to have caused diseases in humans, and there is evidence that three more have caused diseases or been transmitted to other animal species.
“The emergence of diseases in the future is almost certain and very likely. [coronavirus] The disease will return,” the study warns.
The study is based on analysis of the characteristics of the virus, including its population, genetic diversity, host species, and past history of zoonoses, which are diseases transmitted from animals to humans.
The paper was published in the English-language journal Emerging Microbes & Infections in July, but it only gained attention on Chinese social media this month.
Did the US fund dangerous research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology?
Did the US fund dangerous research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology?
This may be partly due to the study not being written in Chinese, but scientists at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention have moved on from the subject following China’s sudden reversal of its zero-corona policy. He said that it also reflects the desire to see the world.
“In private conversations and with other public health scientists, he said, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Chinese authorities have downplayed the coronavirus outbreak, and in some cities “We sometimes find that the government has stopped publishing infection data.”
The scientist spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The Wuhan team also identified rapid and sensitive testing tools that can be used to actively monitor these high-risk viruses.
Shi and colleagues also identified important hosts for the pathogen, including natural hosts such as bats and rodents, or possible intermediate hosts such as camels, civets, pigs and pangolins.
While most virology research digs deep into a particular virus to examine its various properties and mechanisms, this study is more like a “coronavirus dictionary,” CDC scientists said.
“Such research is not considered innovative or technically difficult, so it is less valuable in this field, but it is important,” he said.
“Just as we need mushroom textbooks to avoid eating harmful mushrooms, we need to establish such tools against pathogens.”
Scientists said such knowledge could help speed up the process of vaccine testing and development in future public health crises.
Are the US and China partnering on health issues? Probably not, after the origins of Covid-19 are investigated
Are the US and China partnering on health issues? Probably not, after the origins of Covid-19 are investigated
Many Chinese virologists were reluctant to comment on Shi’s latest research, given the heightened sensitivity to his work.
The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been dogged by suspicions, promoted by some US politicians, that the coronavirus outbreak stemmed from an accidental leak from the lab.
New coronavirus data points to animal origin of virus: WHO advisors
New coronavirus data points to animal origin of virus: WHO advisors
“I think society as a whole is trying to move on from the trauma of the pandemic, and rightly so,” the CDC scientist said.
“However, there is a lack of discussion about what we can learn from this outbreak and how to prepare for the future.”
