COVID-19 Most Likely Came From Animals, WHO Says

The World Health Organization’s Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) released a new report on June 27, 2025 reaffirming that the most plausible origin of SARS-CoV-2 remains a zoonotic spillover, possibly from bats or an intermediate animal host.

The report emphasized that “the weight of available evidence…suggests zoonotic spillover…either directly from bats or through an intermediate host,” but noted the lack of critical data to conclusively confirm this hypothesis.

“All hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We continue to appeal to China and any other country that has information about the origins of COVID-19 to share that information openly.”

Despite SAGO’s review of scientific literature, intelligence reports, and expert interviews, the panel acknowledged it did not have access to original raw data from early Wuhan investigations, including information on animal sales and biosafety protocols at laboratories.

SAGO evaluated multiple origin theories, including zoonotic transmission, accidental lab-related exposure, cold-chain contamination, and deliberate lab manipulation. Only the zoonotic spillover theory was supported by current scientific data.

The report cites evidence linking early COVID-19 cases to the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan and the sale of wildlife species like raccoon dogs known to be susceptible to coronaviruses.

However, SAGO said more investigation is needed, especially on upstream animal trade and genetic samples from early cases, to determine the exact path of transmission.

“There is a moral and ethical imperative,” said Dr. Marietjie Venter, SAGO chair and professor at the University of the Witwatersrand. “Understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2…is needed to help prevent future pandemics.”

SAGO also noted that attempts to review early clinical samples and medical records in China were hampered by narrow case definitions and lack of shared data.

The WHO and SAGO continue to call on nations, particularly China, to disclose health records of lab workers, biosafety audits, and genetic sequencing data that could inform origin studies.

This latest report updates SAGO’s preliminary 2022 findings and represents the result of 52 official meetings and consultations with over 30 global institutions, including Chinese authorities and international researchers.

Until further data becomes available, the origins of SARS-CoV-2—and the pandemic it caused—remain unresolved.