India views WHO-convened global study into COVID-19 origin as vital first step

KATHMANDU: India has viewed the World Health Organization (WHO) convened global study into the origin of COVID-19 as a crucial first step.

Responding to media queries on WHO convened global body, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Friday published an official response of on its website.

The response adds that more studies and data needed to be produced in order to reach robust conclusions on the origin of Covid-19. In the light of this, the WHO convened global study is an important first step, the response noted.

MEA also highlighted that the study deserves the understanding and cooperation of all to pinpoint the origin of COVID-19.

In May 2020, World Health Assembly requested the WHO to continue to work closely with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and countries, as part of the One Health approach, to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and the route of introduction to the human population, including the possible role of intermediate hosts.

The WHO report was updated on April 6, 2021.

Our response to media queries on WHO convened global study on the origin of Covid-19:https://t.co/8I0FWuCA9T pic.twitter.com/YZ1JBmbX5r

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 28, 2021