The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again called on China to share crucial data regarding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, marking the fifth anniversary of the virus’s emergence in Wuhan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the WHO emphasized that transparency and collaboration are vital to preventing future global health crises. “This is a moral and scientific imperative,” the WHO said, referring to the need for countries to share information and work together. The organization stressed that without such cooperation, the world will be ill-prepared to confront future epidemics or pandemics.
The statement came as the global health community reflected on the devastating impact of the pandemic, which was first identified in December 2019. WHO traced Covid-19’s evolution from a local health crisis in Wuhan to a global pandemic that prompted worldwide lockdowns and a rush to develop vaccines.
“Five years ago, on 31 December 2019, WHO’s Country Office in China received a media statement from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, reporting cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in the city,” the WHO’s statement read. “In the months and years that followed, Covid-19 became a defining moment for global health.”
The organization detailed its initial response, stating that it activated emergency protocols on January 1, 2020, and began informing the global community by January 4. By January 13, WHO had published the first laboratory test blueprint for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19.
Despite the WHO’s ongoing efforts to call for transparency, China has consistently rejected claims suggesting that the virus may have leaked from a laboratory. In response to the WHO’s latest statement, Chinese authorities have not yet issued a comment.
The WHO also used the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the profound human impact of the pandemic. “Let us take a moment to honor the lives lost and those still suffering from Covid-19 and Long Covid,” the organization said. “We express our deep gratitude to the healthcare workers who sacrificed so much to care for others and renew our commitment to learning from this crisis to build a healthier future.”
As the world marks the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic, the WHO’s call for greater openness and international cooperation highlights the continuing need for vigilance and preparedness in global health.
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