SAGO statement on newly released SARS-CoV-2 metagenomics data from China CDC on GISAID

In the year On 12 March 2023, WHO made new SARS-CoV-2 sequence and metagenomics data associated with samples collected in Henan Seafood Wholesale Market, Wuhan, China from January 2020, briefly available on GISAID. . The data was later downloaded by researchers from several countries. Access is restricted after a while, apparently due to further data updates by the China CDC. The WHO immediately reached out to the Chinese CDC and the SAGO Chairman and Vice Chairman. In the discussions held by the World Health Organization and Chinese colleagues, the genomic information was explained as the basis for the current update. Liu et al. 2022 pre-print (1) In process of resubmission to Nature by China CDC.

After discussions with the WHO Secretariat and the Chair and Vice Chair of SAGO, a call was arranged on March 12 with participating scientists from the China CDC and some people who obtained the data from GSAID to gauge the relevance and importance of this data. Analyzes of this data. The WHO has organized a meeting with all SAGO members on March 14, 2023, and invited researchers from the China CDC to present their updated analysis of the data. WHO and SAGO have invited researchers who have informed WHO that they have received data from GISAID to provide an analysis of the currently released sequences.

Presentations from the China CDC and invited international researchers indicated the availability of new data from the Huan Seafood Wholesale Market.. This includes metagenomic data collected from various stalls and wastewater collection sites since January 2020. Analyzes of these data suggest that in addition to SARS-CoV-2 sequences, some samples contain human DNA as well as mitochondrial DNA. Animal species, including those known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. This DNA has been implicated in SARS-CoV-2 positive environmental samples from wild raccoon dogs, Malaysian porcupines and bamboo rats, among others.

The findings indicate that animals were present at the market shortly before the market closed on January 1, 2020, as part of public health measures by Chinese authorities. These results provide the potential to identify intermediate SARS-CoV-2 hosts and sources of human infection in markets.

As Chinese Authors Preprint (ed.)Liu et al In the year In 2022), in 1380 samples collected from the environment and animals in the market at the beginning of 2020, 73/923 environmental samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific RT-qPCR, from various stalls and drainage systems in the market and in the market. However, no virus was detected in 457 animal samples. Animal samples include animal organs, frozen carcasses and animal derivatives, as well as commercially available stray animals, and include 18 species. According to the preliminary publication, raccoon dogs were not among the animals tested. However, the finding of high levels of raccoon dog mitochondrial DNA in the metagenomic data of the environmental samples described in the new analysis suggests that raccoon dogs and other animals may be part of a public health intervention before they are cleared from the market.

There is historical photographic evidence that in the past, raccoon dogs and other animals were sold at these special stalls. Although this does not provide conclusive evidence regarding the intermediate host and origin of the virus, the data provide additional evidence of the presence of animals on the market that may be the source of human infection.

SAGO will continue to review any and all scientific data shared by Chinese and other researchers from around the world. SAGO encourages the immediate availability of any and all data related to the study of the origins of SARS-CoV-2 for rigorous and comprehensive review.

As mentioned in SAGO Preliminary report (2) Before the ban and removal of all animal products on 1 January 2020, SAGO strongly recommends that researchers in China investigate the sources of animals and animal products in the Henan market.

In addition, SAGO would like to encourage the sharing of any and all available sequence and metagenomic data on GISAID or any other sequence database and pre-publications under review as soon as possible. An opportunity to analyze these further. In addition, SAGO encourages researchers to use this information to collaborate and engage with Chinese researchers. WHO and SAGO are pleased to facilitate these collaborations.

(1) Liu et al., 2022. Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment and animal samples from 2 Huanan Seafood Market, Available: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1370392/v1

(2) First Report of the Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of New Pathogens (SAGO), June 2022, available at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/scientific-advisory-group-on-the-origins-of-novels – Pathogen-report