Prognosis

WHO Chief Faults Covid Report for Dismissing Lab Leak Theory

Investigators were frustrated by difficulties in getting data
Tedros asks for samples from at least September 2019

WATCH: World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a mission to study the origins of the coronavirus in China was too quick to dismiss the theory of a lab leak. (Source: Bloomberg)

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By Thomas Mulier and Corinne Gretler

March 30, 2021 at 2:28 PM UTC

Updated on

March 31, 2021 at 9:48 AM UTC

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The World Health Organization’s chief said a mission to study the origins of the coronavirus in China was too quick to dismiss the theory of a lab leak, with the U.S. and other governments joining in criticism of the investigation.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the probe didn’t adequately analyze the possibility of a lab accident before deciding it’s most likely the pathogen spread from bats to humans via another animal. In a briefing to member countries Tuesday, he said he is ready to deploy additional missions involving specialist experts.