COVID: On October 13, CNN reported that Chinese authorities are preparing to test tens of thousands of blood samples from Wuhan. Part of an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 Amid calls for Chinese authorities to increase transparency about the outbreak of the virus.
After the World Health Organization (WHO) investigators said in February this year that As many as 200,000 blood samples have been preserved, including the one at the end of 2019 where the world’s first case was reported. This may be an important source of information that may help identify. When and where did the virus first infect humans?
View of the Yangtse river in Wuhan, China on March 4, 2020.
The blood samples were stored in the Wuhan Blood Center. and is expected to date back to 2019, providing real-time tissue samples. or real time from the large population of Wuhan which is the city that is expected to have the first human infected with COVID-19
Chinese officials said Blood samples will be collected for 2 years in case evidence is required in any litigation. related to blood donation The 2-year blood collection period will end soon. for the important blood samples in October and November 2019, which is the time most experts expect The virus may first infect humans.
A Chinese National Health Commission official told CNN: Preparation for the blood sample test is underway. and confirmed that the test will take place after the 2 year blood collection period
On the other hand, Yanzhong Huang, a senior scholar of global health At the Council on Foreign Relations, an independent think tank in the United States, “This will show us the closest data in the world to what we’ve seen in real-time blood samples to help us understand the timing. of the outbreak event.”
Maureen Miller, an associate professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, said these would definitely have important clues. He also called on Chinese authorities to allow foreign experts to observe the process. “No one will believe the results of any tests reported by China unless at least a qualified observer.”
Liang Wannian, leader of the Chinese team working with the WHO at a July press conference in Beijing, China.
Earlier, Liang Wannian, the head of a Chinese delegation working to investigate the origins of COVID-19. He said for the first time in July that China will test blood samples He added that when Chinese experts have results. It will be sent to both Chinese and foreign experts.
Mr Leung said A blood sample is taken from an open tube of a blood donation bag. then sealed and preserved. and a panel of Chinese experts conducted a series of assessments and assessments on the testing methods and action plans. This will be done after the expiration of the 2-year blood collection period.
Experts say if stored properly Blood samples may contain significant traces of the first human-made antibody against COVID-19.
Mr. Liang also said at that time that While the first case was reported in Wuhan on Dec. 8, 2019, “our research and previous relevant research by Chinese scientists fully point out that Dec. 8 may not be. primary infection There may have been another infection that happened before.”
Dr. William Schaffner from the Division of Infectious Diseases Faculty of Medicine Vanderbilt University says blood samples present an amazing opportunity. “You’ll want to go back and find out what month the virus started to leave its mark on the human population in China.”
Miller added that Blood samples may even indicate that Who was infected first, where was the infection, age and occupation of the infected person? Although it is common practice to disguise personal information. but can be omitted to leave only the basic demographics, age, gender, neighborhood in which they live and all data will be available
Dr. Schaffner pointed out that Blood samples may be taken to Switzerland’s Geneva. or other neutral destinations to allow the WHO expert panel to participate in the testing.
Dr. Schaffner also addressed two possible problems with blood samples. that is probably completeness of the blood sample which be sure not to be created shortly. but also represent the total population of donors.
Miller said Many of the blood samples are likely from healthy individuals. Therefore, it will be representative of the infected person who does not show symptoms. And as we’ve learned throughout the pandemic, Asymptomatic infections are the cause of the pandemic.
As Mr Huang said It is unclear how much the outside world will trust these findings. And testing blood samples is an opportunity for China to tell the world that China is serious about investigating the origins of COVID-19 earnestly
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