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First Post
an hour ago
- Health
- First Post
No clear answer on Covid-19 origin, WHO experts conclude after three-year-long probe
After more than three years of work, WHO's expert group was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not Covid-19 was the result of a lab accident read more An expert group charged by the World Health Organization to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic started released its final report Friday, reaching an unsatisfying conclusion: Scientists still aren't sure how the worst health emergency in a century began. At a press briefing on Friday, Marietjie Venter, the group's chair, said that most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals. That was also the conclusion drawn by the first WHO expert group that investigated the pandemic's origins in 2021, when scientists concluded the virus likely spread from bats to humans, via another intermediary animal. At the time, WHO said a lab leak was 'extremely unlikely.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Venter said that after more than three years of work, WHO's expert group was unable to get the necessary data to evaluate whether or not COVID-19 was the result of a lab accident, despite repeated requests for hundreds of genetic sequences and more detailed biosecurity information that were made to the Chinese government. 'Therefore, this hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded,' she said. 'It was deemed to be very speculative, based on political opinions and not backed up by science.' She said that the 27-member group did not reach a consensus; one member resigned earlier this week and three others asked for their names to be removed from the report. Venter said there was no evidence to prove that COVID-19 had been manipulated in a lab, nor was there any indication that the virus had been spreading before December 2019 anywhere outside of China. 'Until more scientific data becomes available, the origins of how SARS-CoV-2 entered human populations will remain inconclusive,' Venter said, referring to the scientific name for the COVID-19 virus. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was a 'moral imperative' to determine how COVID began, noting that the virus killed at least 20 million people, wiped at least $10 trillion from the global economy and upended the lives of billions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last year, the AP found that the Chinese government froze meaningful domestic and international efforts to trace the virus' origins in the first weeks of the outbreak in 2020 and that WHO itself may have missed early opportunities to investigate how COVID-19 began. U.S. President Donald Trump has long blamed the emergence of the coronavirus on a laboratory accident in China, while a U.S. intelligence analysis found there was insufficient evidence to prove the theory. Chinese officials have repeatedly dismissed the idea that the pandemic could have started in a lab, saying that the search for its origins should be conducted in other countries. Last September, researchers zeroed in on a short list of animals they think might have spread COVID-19 to humans, including racoon dogs, civet cats and bamboo rats.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Health
- Time of India
WHO says probe into COVID-19 virus origin still ongoing
Bengaluru: The World Health Organization said on Friday that efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it had requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO added that China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
WHO says probe into COVID-19 virus origin still ongoing
(Reuters) -The World Health Organization said on Friday that efforts to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, are still ongoing and incomplete. The WHO Scientific Advisory Group reported progress in understanding COVID-19's origins but noted that critical information required to fully assess all hypotheses remains unavailable. The agency said it had requested China share hundreds of genetic sequences from COVID-19 patients early in the pandemic, detailed information on animals sold at Wuhan markets, and details on research and biosafety conditions at Wuhan laboratories. WHO added that China has not yet shared the information. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Shefali Jariwala death at 42: Cardiologist calls ‘heart attacks in women deadlier'; 6 lifestyle changes to make today
Shefali Jariwala, actor and model, died on June 27, 2025, reportedly due to a cardiac arrest at the age of 42. She was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai, but was declared dead on arrival. Shefali Jariwala was known for her appearance in Bigg Boss 13 and her 2002 music video, Kaanta Laga. Also read | Cardiologist shares 5 common drugs that could silently harm your heart over time: 'Know what you're taking' Shefali Jariwala death: The actor and model died in Mumbai on June 27. (Instagram/ Shefali Jariwala) Did you know cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death among women, accounting for approximately one of every three female deaths in the US alone, as per a 2017 study published in PubMed Central? Moreover, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in India. 'Both globally and in India, women's cardiac problems are on the rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that cardiovascular diseases, which account for 17.3 million deaths annually, are the leading cause of death among women globally,' Dr Rudradev Pandey, additional director, intervention cardiology, CK Birla Hospital/RBH, Jaipur said in a 2023 interview with HT Lifestyle. He added, 'Unfortunately, CVDs are now one of the leading causes of death in women, with diseases like heart attacks and cardiac arrests killing 10 times more women than breast cancer. According to 2020 research analysing the National Family Health Survey, 18.69 percent of Indian women between the ages of 15 and 49 have untreated hypertension. It was 17.09 percent in rural areas against 21.73 percent in urban areas.' 8 facts women must know about heart disease Women can make the following lifestyle changes to prevent heart attacks. But first, according to cardiologist Dr Dmitry Yaranov, here are the eight vital facts every woman should know to recognise, prevent, and protect against heart disease and heart attacks. In his March 9 Instagram post, Dr Yaranov said: 1. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet many still believe it's a 'man's disease'. It's time to break that myth. 2. Women's heart attack symptoms often differ from the classic chest pain. Instead, they may experience nausea, fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath, which can lead to misdiagnosis. 3. Heart attacks are deadlier for women. Women have a higher risk of dying within the first year after a heart attack, partly because symptoms are often missed or untreated. 4. Plaque builds up differently in women's arteries, making heart disease harder to detect. Standard tests are based on men's heart disease patterns, which can cause missed diagnoses in women. 5. Stress and emotional health impact women's heart risks more. Anxiety and depression can increase heart disease risk but are often overlooked in heart health discussions. 6. After menopause, heart disease risk rises sharply. The drop in estrogen removes a protective layer, increasing the chances of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart attacks. 7. Women are less likely to receive life-saving treatments. From medication to stents to CPR, women get these less often than men, even though they need them just as much. 8. The good news: most heart disease is preventable. A heart-healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups, and paying attention to your body can save lives. What should women do for prevention? According to Dr Pandey, for better prevention of heart disease in women, early screening and control of risk factors like diabetes and hypertension are especially crucial. Here are six lifestyle changes he suggested: 1. Eat a nutritious diet A diet high in fibre, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, low in saturated and trans fats, can greatly lower the risk of heart disease. A balanced diet was linked to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease among Indian women, according to current research estimates in the country. 2. Regular exercise Exercise can increase blood flow, lower the risk of heart disease, and help people stay at a healthy weight. At least 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise at a moderate level is advised by the American Heart Association. 3. Reduce stress Heart disease risk can rise with high amounts of stress. It's critical to identify stress-reduction strategies, such as relaxation exercises, yoga, and meditation. 4. Give up smoking Smoking increases the risk of heart disease. The risk of heart disease can be decreased, and general health can be enhanced by quitting smoking. 5. Liquor intake Alcohol consumption can lead to a range of health problems, including liver disease, high blood pressure, and increased risk of some cancers. Limiting alcohol consumption is essential to maintain good health. 6. Take care of chronic conditions Women who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are more likely to develop heart disease. These disorders must be managed with medication, dietary adjustments, and routine check-ups. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
WHO says all Covid origin theories still open
All hypotheses on how the Covid-19 pandemic began remain open, the World Health Organization said Friday, following an inconclusive four-year investigation that was hamstrung by crucial information being withheld. The global catastrophe killed an estimated 20 million people, according to the WHO, while shredding economies, crippling health systems and turning people's lives upside-down. The first cases were detected in Wuhan in China in late 2019, and understanding where the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid came from is key to preventing future pandemics. However, a lengthy investigation launched by the UN's health agency said that pending further data, the origin of Covid and how it first spread remains elusive. "As things stand, all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference, referring to the two main hypotheses as to how the pandemic began. An initial WHO-Chinese joint report in March 2021 concluded that the virus most likely jumped from bats to humans via an intermediate animal. It deemed a leak from Wuhan's virology laboratories — known for their research on coronaviruses — to be "extremely unlikely". However, that investigation faced harsh criticism for lacking transparency and access, and for not seriously evaluating the lab-leak theory. Tedros launched another investigation, setting up the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), comprising 27 international experts, in July 2021. Their 78-page report was published on Friday.
