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The @WHO's press conference in Wuhan has just started. I will 
the important points here.
(You can also watch it here: )
the important points here. (You can also watch it here: )
The 
Health Ministry spokesperson starts w/ what's expected, ie that fully cooperated with the WHO, the team had the access they needed, and source tracing in Wuhan is concluded.
The joint expert team leader speaks first, introduces research process and key findings.
Health Ministry spokesperson starts w/ what's expected, ie that fully cooperated with the WHO, the team had the access they needed, and source tracing in Wuhan is concluded.The
joint expert team leader speaks first, introduces research process and key findings.
This is so difficult to follow because of the technical language and the simultaneous translation. Working on it.
Key findings from Pr. Liang:
Two phases of dvlp of the virus: viral circulation in animal hosts and evolution of the virus among humans
The team hasn't identified the reservoir host, but possibilities are: pangolins/bats and others also appear more susceptible, like minks
Two phases of dvlp of the virus: viral circulation in animal hosts and evolution of the virus among humans The team hasn't identified the reservoir host, but possibilities are: pangolins/bats and others also appear more susceptible, like minks
Analysis of purchases of cold medicine in local pharmacies didn't yield any useful information on community transmission in Wuhan. "Not enough evidence" to determine whether Sars-Cov-2 had spread in Wuhan before Dec. 2019
Liang also said a little bit ago that unpublished studies showing the circulation of Sars-Cov-2 before official detection in Jan "hint at the possibility" of undetected transmission in other places (this is China's preferred theory that the virus originated elsewhere)
Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market was "one of the focus" points of the spread but transmission was happening elsewhere at the same time (dec. 2019)
It is "not possible" on the basis of the available info to determine how Sars-Cov-2 was "introduced" into Huanan Market.
It is "not possible" on the basis of the available info to determine how Sars-Cov-2 was "introduced" into Huanan Market.
Another favored theory: transmission through frozen food packaging.
Liang says Sars-Cov-2 can be found in the cold chain, but it's unclear whether cases can be mapped to the stores that sell these products - "we need further research."
Liang says Sars-Cov-2 can be found in the cold chain, but it's unclear whether cases can be mapped to the stores that sell these products - "we need further research."
I'm going to stop tweeting this line by line because Liang has just finished his "introduction" (30+ minutes!)
The summary so far (scientists on my timeline, please correct me if I'm wrong) seems to be:
we don't know for sure where it started or when or how
The summary so far (scientists on my timeline, please correct me if I'm wrong) seems to be:
we don't know for sure where it started or when or how
Peter Ben Embarek (head of the delegation) starts by saying that the entire team cannot be there (why?), so he and Marion Koopmans are representing them.
Thanks watchers for reminding them of the importance of their mission and pays tribute to the effect of Covid-19 on Wuhan.
Thanks watchers for reminding them of the importance of their mission and pays tribute to the effect of Covid-19 on Wuhan.
Key conclusions Part 2 (via Ben Embarek):
"Did we change dramatically the picture we had beforehand? I don't think so."
"Did we improve our understanding [and] add details to that story? Absolutely."
"Did we change dramatically the picture we had beforehand? I don't think so." "Did we improve our understanding [and] add details to that story? Absolutely."
I'm unclear what details he's referring to. Liang said the team couldn't ascertain anything how the virus spread to humans or when or how it first spread in Wuhan.
Main findings: The 
was circulating beyond just the Huanan Market cluster in Dec. 19 and there were no large outbreaks of Covid-19 prior to Dec. in Wuhan.
The latter point may be Ben Embarek pushing back on Liang's insinuations that the could have started outside of
was circulating beyond just the Huanan Market cluster in Dec. 19 and there were no large outbreaks of Covid-19 prior to Dec. in Wuhan.The latter point may be Ben Embarek pushing back on Liang's insinuations that the
could have started outside of
A tempered nod to the frozen food theory:
"The market was dealing primarily with frozen animal products but there were also vendors selling products from domesticated wildlife."
The team identified the sellers of these products, which came from all over China but also abroad.
"The market was dealing primarily with frozen animal products but there were also vendors selling products from domesticated wildlife."
The team identified the sellers of these products, which came from all over China but also abroad.
Four theories of how Sars-Cov-2 spread to humans:
Direct zoonotic spillover (animal human)
Intermediary host species (animal reservoir other animal closer to humans human)
Food chain (animal surface transmission human)
Laboratory incident
Direct zoonotic spillover (animal human) Intermediary host species (animal reservoir other animal closer to humans human) Food chain (animal surface transmission human) Laboratory incident
Ben Embarek: "Our initial findings suggest that the introduction [of the virus to humans] through an intermediary host species is the most likely pathway and one that will require more...specific targeted research."
BUT also considering theory 3 (frozen food chain)
BUT also considering theory 3 (frozen food chain)
Theory 1 (direct spillover from an animal to humans) "is also a possible pathway and is generating recommendations for further studies."
Only theory he refutes is the fourth one (lab incident). See full quote here: https://twitter.com/latikambourke/status/1359088415879356416
Only theory he refutes is the fourth one (lab incident). See full quote here: https://twitter.com/latikambourke/status/1359088415879356416
Key recommendations the team is making at the conclusion of its mission (1/?)
Expand existing integrated databases that connect all data on Sars-Cov-2 around 
Continue research on early-days material that can be analyzed to find out more about the origin of the virus
Expand existing integrated databases that connect all data on Sars-Cov-2 around Continue research on early-days material that can be analyzed to find out more about the origin of the virus
Explore new approaches to using serological tests in research (looking in old samples to find traces of the virus at that time) - presumably pre-Dec. 19? 
More studies needed to better explore theory 2 (see above), including in bat populations *outside of China*
Do more to understand the possible role of the frozen food supply chain in the transmission of the virus Trace the source of the animal products that were sold in Huanan Market in Dec. 19
On with the press questions now, and the end of this thread. Those were two very lengthy introductions for what is essentially little new information and many questions (including some that I was under the impression the team was there in order to answer).
