In the midst of mass global panic over the most recent threat facing human life, the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, may have been transferred from animals to humans via pangolin meat researchers say.
The discovery was announced by researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and confirmed by researchers at the South China Agricultural University on 7 February, according to The Daily Maverick.
Bats were thought to be the original hosts of the virus, but were not responsible for the virus’ transmission to humans.
Joseph F. Petrosino, professor at Baylor College’s department of molecular virology and microbiology said:
‘In this case, it appears a pangolin virus and bat virus found themselves in the same animal, which led to a devastating recombination event, creating the pandemic strain. This may have happened in the wild, or where these animals were brought together in unnaturally close proximity,’
Isn’t it ironic that the source of the worlds current scourge, has been found in the most trafficked animal on the planet. Perhaps this is the break that the endangered pangolin species needed to prevent them from going extinct
In the meantime, China has announced its plans to ban all trade in wildlife permanently.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAVERICK