Official WHO announcements or press releases

WHO Urges China to Share Covid-19 Origins Data Five Years After Pandemic's Start

Dec 30, 2024, 08:06 PM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged China to share data and provide access to help understand the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, five years after its emergence in Wuhan. The WHO emphasized that sharing such information is a 'moral and scientific imperative,' crucial for preventing and preparing for future pandemics. The organization highlighted the initial detection of the virus on December 31, 2019, when its China office noted a media statement from Wuhan's health authorities about cases of 'viral pneumonia.' The WHO also acknowledged the global impact of Covid-19, which has led to over seven million deaths and significant disruptions to economies and health systems worldwide. The call for transparency comes as the WHO reflects on the lessons learned from the pandemic and the need to strengthen global health defenses.