WHO Urges China to Disclose Covid-19 Data, Cites Moral Imperative

Five years following the Covid-19 outbreak that caused widespread devastation, the World Health Organization (WHO) has once again urged China to supply essential data and grant access to comprehend the virus's origins, describing it as a 'moral and scientific imperative.' The WHO also cautioned that without worldwide transparency and cooperation, the global community remains at risk for future epidemics. In a statement released on Monday, the WHO said, 'We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative.'

Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot effectively prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.
It stated, 'On December 31, 2019, WHO's Country Office in China noticed a media release from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission about cases of 'viral pneumonia' in Wuhan, China. Over the ensuing weeks, months, and years, COVID-19 profoundly impacted our lives and our world. At WHO, we started working immediately as the new year began.'

WHO staff initiated emergency protocols on January 1, 2020, and notified the global community on January 4. Between January 9 and 12, WHO released its initial comprehensive guidelines for nations, and on January 13, we collaborated with partners to release the blueprint for the first SARS-CoV-2 lab test.

The statement emphasized, "As we reach this milestone, let's pause to honor the lives affected and lost, acknowledge those suffering from Covid-19 and long Covid, thank the health workers who sacrificed greatly to care for us, and pledge to learn from COVID-19 to create a healthier future."

Throughout 2020, the WHO engaged in discussions with China and other Member States about the necessity of researching and sharing information on the origins of the virus. In July 2020, the WHO dispatched a small team to China to organize a joint study involving both Chinese and independent international scientists. This team included scientists from various countries: Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, the United Kingdom, the US, and Vietnam.