As the world is reeling from the effects of the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, the latest research has shown that it may have been transferred from animals to humans via pangolin meat.
The news was announced by researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and was confirmed by researchers at the South China Agricultural University today, 7 February according to The Daily Maverick.
Bats were speculated to have hosted the virus first, but were not responsible for the virus’ transmission to humans.
‘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,’ said Joseph F. Petrosino, professor at Baylor College’s department of molecular virology and microbiology according to the Daily Maverick.
In the meantime, China has announced its plans to ban all trade in wildlife permanently.
Image: Twitter/Freyr
