technologia: COVID-19 lab leak theory

Evidence: 100 • authority: 72

A highly controversial hypothesis holds that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, originated from a laboratory. The scientific consensus is that the virus is not the result of genetic engineering; instead, most scientists believe it spread to human populations through natural zoonotic transmission from bats, similar to the SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV outbreaks and other pandemics throughout human history. Available evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 was originally harbored by bats and transmitted to humans through infected wild animals serving as intermediate hosts at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019. Several candidate animal species hav…

Evidence: 56 • authority: 72

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been efforts by scientists, governments, and others to determine the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Similar to other outbreaks, the virus was derived from a bat-borne virus and most likely was transmitted to humans via another animal in nature, or during wildlife bushmeat trade such as that in food markets. While other explanations, such as SARS-CoV-2 being accidentally released from a laboratory, have been proposed, they are not supported by evidence. Conspiracy theories about the virus's origin have proliferated widely. Research is ongoing as to whether SARS-CoV-2 came directly from bats or indirectly through an intermediate host,…

Evidence: 43 • authority: 72

False information, including disinformation and conspiracy theories about the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic and the origin, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease has been spread through social media, text messaging, and mass media. False information has been propagated by celebrities, politicians, and other prominent public figures. Many countries have passed laws against "fake news", and thousands of people have been arrested for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. The spread of COVID-19 misinformation by governments has also been significant. Commercial scams have claimed to offer at-home tests, supposed preventives, and "miracle" cures. Several religious groups have claimed…

Evidence: 37 • authority: 92

From crisis to resilience: Catalysing epidemic and pandemic preparedness through National Public Health Institutes.. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in responding to global health emergencies. This commentary examined the contributions and challenges of NPHIs in four countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), including Somalia, Morocco, Pakistan, and Jordan, during the pandemic response. Drawing on country case studies, we highlighted shared achievements, unique contributions, and operational challenges. Key successes included strengthening public health surveillance systems, expanding laboratory testing capacities,…

Evidence: 37 • authority: 88

Cleaning Microscopes (Covid-19 Shutdown Re-Entry, Srivastava Lab) v1. This is based on: Recommendations for operating Core Facilities in a research environment during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Disclaimer: The SOP presented here has been designed by the Srivastava Lab at Harvard University and is being shared outside of Harvard for informational purposes only. If you choose to reuse or repurpose this SOP in another location, please note that you do so at your own risk; you should ensure that any local guidance is also adhered to. None of the authors, contributors, administrators, or anyone else associated with protocols.io, can be held responsible for your use of the information contained in…

Evidence: 37 • authority: 72

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Starting in January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health emergency; they declared the end of the emergency on 5 May 2023. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell, and loss of taste. Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms. Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81…

Evidence: — • authority: 72

This list of laboratory biosecurity incidents includes accidental laboratory-acquired infections and laboratory releases of lethal pathogens, containment failures in or during transport of lethal pathogens, and incidents of exposure of lethal pathogens to laboratory personnel, improper disposal of contaminated waste, and/or the escape of laboratory animals. The list is grouped by the year in which the accident or incident occurred and does not include every reported laboratory-acquired infection.

Evidence: — • authority: 92

COVID-19 TESTING PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIES FOR RAPID SCALE UP OF LABORATORY CAPACITY IN A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IN A RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED SETTING: THE SARS-COV-2 NIGERIA RESPONSE EXPERIENCEJ.. Introduction Sufficient laboratory capacity is vital to containing infectious diseases outbreaks. This study was conducted to document the strategies adopted to scale up laboratory testing capacity during Nigeria's response to COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study adopted a mixed method approach including desk reviews and key informant interviews (KIIs). The KIIs were conducted among actors of the COVID-19 response teams in states and federal ministries of health in Nige…