Results from the joint WHO-China COVID-19 mission in February, showed the need to increase research on certain areas (such as investigations on the source of the outbreak, human cases with symptom onset, environmental sampling from markets and farms in areas where the first human cases were identified, and detailed records on the source and type of wildlife species and farmed animals sold in these markets) will be crucial to helping prevent similar outbreaks in the future. China has the clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory capacity to conduct such studies.
On 1 May, the WHO-convened Emergency Committee made a series of recommendations, including that the WHO work with the International Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help identify the animal source of the virus. This follows earlier recommendations from the Emergency Committee to WHO and to China on 23 January and 30 January to pursue efforts to identify the animal source of the outbreak.
WHO will continue its close cooperation with China – not only the COVID-19 response but also on other essential health priorities such as immunization, reduction in chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, eradicating malaria, controlling infectious diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis, and helping to build a healthier future for all people.