WHO Presses China for COVID-19 Origins Data as Pandemic Marks Five-Year Anniversary

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its calls for China to share critical data concerning the origins of COVID-19, as the world marks five years since the onset of the pandemic. In a statement released on December 31, 2024, the UN health agency emphasized the importance of transparency in preventing future epidemics.

The WHO recalled that its country office in China first noted media reports from Wuhan regarding cases of "viral pneumonia" on December 31, 2019, which ultimately led to the global crisis that has since claimed millions of lives and impacted economies worldwide. The organization stressed that understanding the origins of COVID-19 remains a "moral and scientific imperative."

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that while progress has been made to better prepare for future pandemics, vulnerabilities still exist that could impede effective response. The ongoing negotiations for a pandemic prevention treaty among WHO member states, set to conclude by May 2025, face challenges, particularly regarding equitable access to vaccines and timely sharing of new pathogens.

The WHO's statement serves as a reminder of the significant lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis and the ongoing need for international cooperation to enhance global health security.

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