New Covid origins data suggests pandemic linked to raccoon dogs at Wuhan market
Source: AP
The samples were collected from surfaces at the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan after the first human cases of Covid-19 were found in late 2019.
March 17, 2023, 8:48 AM CDT
International scientists who examined previously unavailable genetic data from samples collected at a market close to where the first human cases of Covid-19 were detected in China said they found suggestions the pandemic originated from animals, not a lab.
Other experts have not yet verified their analysis, which also has not appeared so far in a peer-reviewed journal. How the coronavirus first started sickening people remains uncertain.
These data do not provide a definitive answer to how the pandemic began, but every piece of data is important to moving us closer to that answer, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a Friday press briefing.
He also criticized China for not sharing the genetic information earlier, adding that this data could have and should have been shared three years ago....................
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-origins-data-links-pandemic-raccoon-dogs-wuhan-market-rcna75437
https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-1240w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2023-03/230317-raccoon-dog-al-0932-769139.jpg
A raccoon dog in Mexico City
A raccoon dog in Mexico City.Alfredo Estrella / AFP via Getty Images file
jcgoldie
(11,584 posts)I didn't even know "raccoon dog" was a thing. Banned in the US too, whaddya know?
genxlib
(5,507 posts)I didn't even how there was such a thing.
womanofthehills
(8,584 posts)They took that headline down because none of its true.
They have no animal, there is no research paper and its 3 scientists- one who was kicked off the committee looking for the source - for lying.
NickB79
(19,114 posts)Sounds pretty substantial, given that the samples show a mixture of raccoon dog and COVID genetics (which is as close as we'll get to finding the infected animal itself), and a lot more than 3 scientists have chimed in with support.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/03/covid-origins-research-raccoon-dogs-wuhan-market-lab-leak/673390/
CountAllVotes
(20,854 posts)Eat it and hence COVID-19?
Good gawd!
flying_wahini
(6,529 posts)Viruses? The fact that it originated in other places doesnt really mean anything other than for tracking purposes. Viruses mutate. Its what they do.
Animal to human transmission has been going on for a couple of decades.
Thats what causes the mutations.
Before there was corona there was the SARS , before that MERs.
Seems to me that by naming the source it looks a good way to blame a group of people
instead of the actual virus. The right newscasters will just take this and run with it on why we should close our borders argument again.
IronLionZion
(45,261 posts)it helps them justify their own biases, prejudices, or other bigotry.
Warpy
(110,913 posts)which is why that lab in Wuhan was studying them, in the first place. It was only a matter of time before zoonotic tramisission produced a virus capable of jumping from person to person more efficiently.
Raccoon dogs are an interesting critter, they're true dogs but make lousy pets. They occupy the same niche as our own trash pandas, biologists thinking the appearance evolved separately in species not even remotely related because of that.
And yes, they're grown and trapped for their meat. Protein's protein.
Eugene
(61,595 posts)This should come as no surprise.
friend of a friend
(367 posts)aggiesal
(8,864 posts)IronLionZion
(45,261 posts)I've never heard of them but we probably shouldn't eat them.
CountAllVotes
(20,854 posts)Warpy
(110,913 posts)"They'll eat everything with four legs except the table."
It would be considered an exotic meat, probably destined for fine dining.
I think I'd probably pass, but then again, I grew up eating frogs. And don't look at me like that if you've ever eaten sausage or chicken nuggets.
IronLionZion
(45,261 posts)people there eat squirrels, rabbits, wild birds, etc. I don't but I get it if they hunted it themselves. Deer is delicious. Farming exotic animals for wet markets is another issue.
There are viruses connected to eating wild hogs in the American south. Those pigs are dangerous.
Warpy
(110,913 posts)but I drew the line at burgoo. It's right down there with liver.
Bayard
(21,806 posts)I can see where they got their name. Definitely not edible, in my book.
Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)intrepidity
(7,241 posts)The Chinese government itself is responsible for the prolonged confusion about this. In their efforts to distance China from *any* culpability wrt C19 origins--even wet market--they have fostered suspicions that are warranted.
Personally, I currently lean toward the zoonotic origin, having been a huge skeptic from the beginning--skepticism born from the behavior of China, mostly. The phylogenetic analyses are, to me, the most compelling evidence.
But China doesn't do itself, or anyone, any favors by continuing to withhold info. It just prolongs the confusion.
Plus, this issue should have *never* had an ideological divide as it does here. One of the most frustrating aspects to me.
Coventina
(26,874 posts)PlutosHeart
(1,232 posts)there is a highly contagious disease in the US easily transmitted from saliva from raccoons to "dogs" that causes paralysis. Usually temporary but many vets are unable to diagnose it make poor decisions on a pet's fate because of it. I only know this because one of my past dogs had gotten it from sniffing on a fence and it is amazing how fast it happens.Luckily my vet was smart but took him a whole day to figure it out. Pup recovered 90% of his mobility.
Bayard
(21,806 posts)PlutosHeart
(1,232 posts)since it sounds racist but it is commonly called Coon-Hound Disease.
The paralysis is very rapid. My dog literally fell over in total paralysis in around 10 minutes. First vet had no clue. Then took him to a very old vet who literally had almost a lab in his house/business. He was well known in our State also but lived near me. He was 100% right on diagnosis.
It took about a month of wheeling him around on a flat cart, rolling him off to pee, etc....hand feeding him. I worked his legs slowly and gave him massages. One day he tried to stand up and it took about two hours and he started to finally get his bearings a bit.
He had residual damage in his left front paw as he would sort of semi-drag it. This is a common side effect from which limb was first affected. He lived a long good life and went on many forest adventures after that with me.
It is now a more commonly seen disease as well.
Bayard
(21,806 posts)That's scary. We trap raccoons here because they kill the chickens/ducks/geese.
How was your dog exposed to their saliva?
PlutosHeart
(1,232 posts)Or the cement used to imbed he fence into. There was an area that it had come and gone through and my dog was sniffing it a lot. It is super easy to get.
I am so grateful my vet identified it otherwise I would have put Andy down. And I dearly loved him.
The symptoms are one limb affected first then the gradual total loss of usage of all fours including holding up the head and all of the body. But like I said, with 10-15 minutes he was floppy.
Just know that recovery rate is fairly good but it takes devotion as well as identification.
Bayard
(21,806 posts)We've had 2 baby donkeys die from that, and several goats. Slow paralysis till it finally shuts down vital organs. Its horrible. We finally learned we needed to vaccinate for it here.
Glad your boy recovered.
PlutosHeart
(1,232 posts)Perhaps because it is most times not fatal. Just misdiagnosed, super scary to see and also takes devotion to help the dog recover. Not sure if other animals can catch it. No idea. Climate crisis has hastened more cases though.
I am sorry about your little creatures. Glad you found out you can vaccinate but so sorry they suffered as well as you did.