COVID-19: WHO Says Lab Leak Theory Cannot Be Ruled Out
Escrito por HITS 96.5 el junio 28, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that the theory suggesting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, may have originated from a laboratory leak remains a valid possibility. This was confirmed on Friday by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus following the release of an updated report by the international scientific advisory group that has been investigating the origins of the pandemic since 2021.
“The lab leak hypothesis cannot be ruled out,” Tedros stated, stressing the importance of full data access. “We continue to call on China — and any country with information about the origins of COVID-19 — to share it in the interest of protecting the world from future epidemics,” he said.
The Search for COVID-19’s Origins Remains Ongoing
Since the early days of the pandemic, scientists have examined several theories regarding how the coronavirus emerged. These include zoonotic transmission (from animals to humans) at a market in Wuhan, and the possibility of a laboratory accident. Despite extensive investigations, no conclusive evidence has confirmed or ruled out either scenario.
The latest WHO report emphasizes that limited access to critical data — particularly from China — continues to be a major barrier to reaching definitive conclusions about the origins of the virus that triggered the global health crisis in 2020.
Global Importance and Future Preparedness
The WHO highlights that understanding the exact origin of COVID-19 is not only key to learning how the pandemic began but also vital for preventing future outbreaks. “This is not about placing blame,” Tedros stressed. “It’s about strengthening global health security and ensuring better preparedness for future pandemic threats.”
The international scientific community, along with global health authorities, continues to call for transparency, cooperation, and unrestricted access to relevant data as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce biological risks and protect public health.
