The Intelligence from The Economist Bat out of elsewhere? Tracing SARS-CoV-2’s origins
Jul 27, 2020
Natasha Loader, health policy editor at The Economist, dives deep into the origins of SARS-CoV-2, tracing it from bats to pangolans and emphasizing the need for further research to avert future pandemics. The discussion also links extreme weather, like unprecedented Arctic heat, to climate change. Additionally, it highlights the phenomenon of wealthy Africans seeking better travel options through 'passport shopping,' revealing inequalities in global mobility. It's a captivating blend of health, environment, and social issues.
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Virus Origin
- SARS-CoV-2 is likely a bat virus originating in an area with high bat diversity.
- While research has focused on China, Southeast Asia also has high bat diversity and has not been thoroughly investigated.
Virus Hunting
- EcoHealth Alliance visits bat habitats like caves and trees to collect samples and study viruses.
- This work has revealed that bats carry a wide variety of viruses, especially coronaviruses, which mingle and evolve.
Pandemic Origin
- While the pandemic started in Wuhan, the virus may have originated elsewhere and been transported there through trade or human movement.
- Another theory suggests a similar virus circulated unnoticed in Southeast Asia, where populations might have greater resistance.