New evidence that the pandemic started at an animal market

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A new analysis of genetic samples provides “some of the strongest evidence so far” that the coronavirus pandemic started by transmission from animals to humans at a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, reports The Atlantic.

The genetic samples were collected at the market shortly after the city was locked down in early 2020. The new analysis was done by an international team of researchers and indicates that raccoon dogs that were sold illegally at the site may have carried the virus in late 2019.

“This really strengthens the arguments for a natural origin,” virologist Seema Lakdawala told the magazine.