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1 1 (May 3, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govedea0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Intorm~ng the legislative debate since 1914 0 May 3, 2021 Origins of SARS-CoV-2 In late 2019, a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in Wuhan, China. The virus, which causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has contributed to significant morbidity (illness) and mortality (death), as well as severe public health and economic effects, among other impacts. Several Members of Congress have made public statements and introduced legislation calling for an investigation into the origin of SARS-CoV-2. Determining the origin and pathway by which a zoonotic disease (i.e., one that originated in animals) emerges and is transmitted to humans can help scientists prevent further outbreaks, inform the public health response, and aid in the development of therapeutics and vaccines. Further, such knowledge may guide the development of policies and practices that reduce the potential for the emergence of other zoonotic diseases. Scientists note that determining the origin of zoonotic diseases could take years, and in some cases, an origin may never be conclusively identified. In May 2020, the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA)- the governing body of the World Health Organization (WHO)-passed a resolution (WHA 73.1) requesting the WHO Director-General to identify the source of SARS- CoV-2 and the route of transmission to humans, among other things. WHO sent a team to China in July 2020 to develop a work plan and begin collecting and analyzing data, including * studies of all-cause mortality and deaths from respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, in and around Wuhan in late 2019; * testing of stored animal samples for SARS-CoV-2; * national disease surveillance data; and * reports of retail pharmacy purchases of medicines to reduce fevers and treat cold and flu symptoms. From January 14 through February 10, 2021, a team of 34 experts-17 from China and 17 from other countries and organizations-traveled to Wuhan to collect and analyze existing and additional data. On March 30, 2021, WHO released its report on the mission, which summarized findings from site visits and discussions with Chinese local and national experts. The report presented four hypotheses on the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and assessed their likelihood of being the cause. Origin Hypotheses: Independent Team Findings Hypotheses on SARS-CoV-2 origins follow and are illustrated in Figure 1. The team's findings are italicized. (1) Introduction through an intermediate host, a likely- to-very-likely hypothesis that an intermediate host species, infected by an animal reservoir host (the animal where the virus lives, grows, and multiplies), carried the virus and transmitted it to humans. No intermediate hosts have been identified. (2) Direct zoonotic spillover, a possible-to-likely pathway through which SARS-CoV-2 could have been transmitted from an animal reservoir host to a human. Bats are seen as a likely reservoir host, as several studies have identified high genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses found in certain bat species found in China and elsewhere in South Asia. (3) Introduction through cold/food-chain products, a possible hypothesis positing that people contracted SARS-CoV-2 through contact with contaminated food, potentially including frozen, imported foodstuffs. SARS- CoV-2 has been identified on frozen food, its packaging, and cold-chain products (items stored at controlled temperatures to preserve and extend shelf life). (4) Introduction through a laboratory incident, an extremely unlikely hypothesis considering whether laboratory staff accidentally contracted and later spread SARS-CoV-2 while researching coronaviruses in bats. The WHO report did not consider a hypothesis that the virus was released intentionally, stating that it had been ruled out by other scientists. Ultimately, the investigators did not identify the source of SARS-CoV-2 and recommended further studies. The team also called for regular administrative and internal reviews of high-level biosafety laboratories worldwide to address what they characterized as the need for more data. U.S. Government Response to the Report On March 30, 2021, the United States and 13 other countries issued a joint statement expressing concerns that the international expert study on the source of the SARS- CoV-2 virus was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples. The statement also called for immediate movement to a second phase of investigation and that future missions be free to produce independent and objective recommendations and findings. The signatories expressed continued support for WHO and urged further studies to determine SARS-CoV-2 origins. U.S. Efforts to Control Zoonotic Diseases For decades, U.S. federal agencies have worked to strengthen international biosecurity and advance global pandemic preparedness. These efforts are aimed at averting the likelihood that scenarios listed in the hypotheses might occur. This section summarizes selected efforts related to the four hypotheses. nttps://crsreport