WUHAN, China (AP) – Experts from the World Health Organization visited an animal disease center in the Chinese city of Wuhan on Tuesday as part of their investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Team member Peter Daszak later told reporters they had “excellent facilities, very informative meeting,” and tweeted that the team met with staff responsible for livestock health in Hubei province, conducted a tour of laboratories and had an “in-depth” discussion along with questions and answers.
Further details of the visit have not been disclosed.
Team members wore full protective gear during Tuesday’s visit, further indicative of the work China has been doing in preparing for the WHO visit to Wuhan, where the first COVID-19 illnesses emerged in late 2019.
Outside of their hotel and in public areas, the experts have consistently worn masks and professional or business casual wear, but it is not clear whether they have worn full-body protective suits at the research institutes, hospitals and markets they have previously visited.
The WHO’s visit to Wuhan was preceded by intense negotiations as China has maintained strict controls over access to information about the virus, possibly to avoid blame for alleged missteps in its early response to the outbreak.
But on Monday, WHO officials in Geneva went back against suggestions that the team of experts from 10 countries was not getting enough access or data.
COVID-19 technical leader Maria Van Kerkhove said the team has plans to visit the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is considered one of the most important sources of information about the origin of the virus. Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHO’s emergency chief, said the agency continued to ask for more data and said anyone with information about how the pandemic started should share it with the organization.
The data the team collects will contribute to what is expected to be a years-long search for answers, including animal sampling, genetic analysis and epidemiological studies.
China has largely halted domestic transmission of the virus through sometimes draconian measures, including strict testing and electronic surveillance. Wearing masks in public is standard and lockdowns are routinely imposed on communities and even entire cities where cases are detected.
Schools have gone online and travel has been drastically cut during this month’s Lunar New Year holiday, with the government encouraging people to stay in the cities rather than return to their hometowns for family gatherings.