Abstract
In late 2019, the novel and highly infectious coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused a worldwide outbreak of a severe respiratory infectious disease, known as COVID-19. The disease has started in China and turned into one of the worst pandemics in human history. Due to the very fast global spread of the pathogen, COVID-19 is a great challenge for the Public Health Systems. It had led to a variety of severe limitations in private and public life worldwide. There is a lively public debate about possible sources of SARS-CoV-2. This article aims at providing a better understanding of controversial biological and political issues regarding COVID-19. Recommendations are made for possible actions under the umbrella of the World Health Organization and in respect to the Biological Weapons Convention.
Highlights
In December 2019, an outbreak of an unknown viral pneumonia was reported in the city of Wuhan, capital of China’s central Hubei province [1]
Adequate methods of microbial forensics useable to investigate the alleged use of biological weapons could be applied for the analysis of the source of the COVID-19 pandemic [66, 67]. This could be done either by agreement of Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) Member States to use these approaches in a combined effort, by the activation of the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism (UNSGM) triggered upon request by United Nations (UN) Member States or by decision of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to mandate such investigation
Lack in transparency and delayed reporting of key epidemiological and biological data by some states in the course of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed the need for improving international mechanisms counteracting biological threats
Summary
In December 2019, an outbreak of an unknown viral pneumonia was reported in the city of Wuhan, capital of China’s central Hubei province [1]. Scientists at WIV conducted extensive research projects on coronaviruses including virus strains closely related to SARS-CoV-2. They used standard methods in virus cell culture as well as genetic engineering. The Congress of the United States is investigating the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grant project number R01AI110964 This grant was awarded to Eco Health a US non-profit organization which funded Coronavirus-research at the WIV as a subgrantee [34]. A possible precursor virus related to SARSCoV-2 could be the causative agent for the infection of six mineworkers in Mojiang, Yunnan province, in April 2012 [49, 50] These workers got severely ill showing symptoms attributed to a SARS-CoV-1 infection. We first analyze possible ways for an international investigation of the COVID19 outbreak under the umbrella of the WHO, before we examine potential contributions of procedures linked to the BWC regime
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
