More than five years since the first reported cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, and after more than 20 million deaths globally, the world is still left without a definitive answer to the question that has haunted scientists, politicians, and the public alike: How did COVID-19 begin?

The origins of COVID-19, the pandemic that has reshaped the 21st century, remain one of the most pressing and contentious mysteries in global health. After more than three years of investigation, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) expert group has released its final report—yet the world is left with more questions than answers. Despite unprecedented scientific collaboration and scrutiny, the true source of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, remains elusive.

The World Health Organization (WHO), after years of probing, released its final report through the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), offering an unsettling conclusion — the origin of SARS-CoV-2 remains unconfirmed. While the report aligns with the hypothesis that the virus likely spilled over from animals to humans, it stops short of ruling out a laboratory-related incident due to a critical lack of evidence.

At the core of the WHO investigation is the zoonotic spillover theory — the widely supported scientific view that SARS-CoV-2 originated in animals and jumped to humans. According to Marietjie Venter, chair of the SAGO expert group, “most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals.”

This aligns with the WHO’s earlier 2021 mission to China, which also concluded that the virus most likely moved from bats to humans, potentially through an intermediary host. That earlier group had called a lab leak “extremely unlikely.” Since then, however, the landscape of inquiry has become increasingly politicized and restricted.

At a press briefing, SAGO chair Marietjie Venter summarized the group’s findings: “Most scientific data supports the hypothesis that the new coronavirus jumped to humans from animals.” This zoonotic spillover theory, suggesting the virus moved from bats to humans—possibly via an intermediary animal—remains the most widely supported scenario. This aligns with the conclusions of an earlier WHO investigation in 2021, which also found a natural origin most likely and considered a laboratory accident “extremely unlikely” at the time.

The Zoonotic Hypothesis

The scientific consensus points to a zoonotic origin, with bats as the primary reservoir for coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2. The virus’s genetic makeup closely resembles that of bat coronaviruses, and several animal species, including civet cats, raccoon dogs, and bamboo rats, have been investigated as possible intermediate hosts. Studies have shown that the ACE2 receptor, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter cells, is present in a range of mammals, supporting the plausibility of animal-to-human transmission.

Recent research has narrowed the list of potential intermediary species but has not identified a definitive culprit. The lack of direct evidence—such as an animal sample with a virus genetically identical to early human cases—means the zoonotic pathway, while likely, cannot be proven beyond doubt

The Lab Leak Theory

Though some governments, including the United States under former President Donald Trump, have promoted the possibility that COVID-19 emerged from a lab accident in Wuhan, WHO’s recent report makes it clear that this theory remains speculative. “There is no evidence to prove that COVID-19 was manipulated in a lab,” said Venter. “Nor is there any indication that the virus had been spreading outside of China before December 2019.”

The WHO advisory group reported that despite repeated requests, they were unable to obtain essential data from Chinese authorities — including genetic sequences from early COVID-19 patients, detailed records of animals sold at the Wuhan seafood market, and biosafety logs from relevant Wuhan laboratories. These missing data points continue to impede the investigation.

Crucially, the report confirms that the lab leak theory could not be adequately evaluated or ruled out because “the necessary data was never made available.” Venter emphasized that “the hypothesis could not be investigated or excluded” and that speculation was mostly “based on political opinions and not backed up by science.”

Political Hurdles and Data Gaps

The search for COVID-19’s origins has been hampered by political tensions and a lack of transparency. The Chinese government has restricted the publication of research on the virus’s origins and has tightly controlled access to relevant data and sites. International investigators have faced obstacles, from denied access to key locations to the withholding of crucial genetic information.

These barriers have fueled speculation and mistrust, particularly regarding the lab leak theory. While some Western officials and scientists have called for more rigorous investigation of laboratory records and staff health data, Chinese authorities have repeatedly dismissed such inquiries and suggested the search for origins should expand to other countries.

In retrospect, the window for unbiased scientific investigation may have passed. An Associated Press (AP) investigation previously revealed that China clamped down on both domestic and international efforts to trace the virus’s origins in the early weeks of 2020. WHO, too, was accused of failing to act swiftly or assertively enough during the critical early months of the pandemic.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly called uncovering the virus’s origins a “moral imperative.” At Friday’s press conference, he reiterated this point: “Understanding how COVID-19 began is not about blame — it is about science, preparedness, and protecting the world from future pandemics.”

While definitive answers remain elusive, scientific efforts to identify a possible intermediary animal host are ongoing. Last year, researchers narrowed their focus to several species — including raccoon dogs, civet cats, and bamboo rats — believed to have been sold at Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Market.

However, WHO said that until China releases critical genetic sequences from both animals and early human cases, the mystery remains unresolved. “Until more scientific data becomes available, the origins of how SARS-CoV-2 entered human populations will remain inconclusive,” Venter admitted.

What This Means for the Future?

With each passing year, the trail of the virus grows colder. Biological samples degrade, memories fade, and geopolitical tensions deepen. Yet, the stakes remain enormous. As the world grapples with long COVID, vaccine fatigue, and the enduring socioeconomic scars of the pandemic, the need for clear, evidence-based origin tracing is more urgent than ever.

COVID-19 was not the first pandemic, and it will not be the last. As Dr. Tedros aptly put it, “We owe it to the millions of people who lost their lives to COVID-19, and to the billions whose lives were upended, to understand what happened and to ensure it never happens again.”

Three years on, the story of how COVID-19 began is still unfinished. The WHO probe has advanced our understanding but has also revealed the limits of science in the face of missing data and political barriers. For now, the world must contend with uncertainty, even as the search for answers continues. The origins of the pandemic may remain a mystery, but the imperative to learn, adapt, and prepare for the next global health threat has never been clearer.

An exclusive published on tabloid Radar, on October 16, claimed that 70-year-old US President Donald Trump is 'riddled with arthritis', and may need a double hip replacement. The story has then been widely shared, however, the sources are anonymous.

Trump's mobility has become a heated topic of debate, however, his medical memos describe him as 'in exceptional health'.

What Does White House Say About Trump's Health?

White House released a formal memoranda from the physician to the President declaring routine examinations and reassuring the public that President's health is in exceptional condition. The memo is dated from April 2025 summary released by the White House and a July 2025 follow-up memorandum. The official memos detail a comprehensive physical examination of President Trump.

However, the memo do not note for orthopedic need or surgery.

Where Is The Claim Based On?

The tabloid’s report paints a sensational picture of severe arthritis and an alleged plan for double hip replacement, citing unnamed “sources” and hinting at possible cognitive issues. The story has since been picked up by several aggregator sites, spreading widely despite the absence of verified evidence.

Importantly, the publication provides no medical records, surgeon’s statement, or official hospital documentation to substantiate its claims. In the absence of such primary proof, the report remains unverified speculation.

However, as per the physical examination by the Walter Reed National Medical Center, President had no orthopedic surgery listed in his history.

White House again released statements and a semiannual physical note in October 2025, that contained results from preventive care and imagine performed. As per the results, Trump 'remains in exceptional health'.

The official documents specifically mention diagnoses like chronic venous insufficiency, a common cause of leg swelling in older adults, but make no reference to any scheduled hip surgery or confirmed cases of bilateral hip failure. While this doesn’t rule out a potential orthopedic concern, it does indicate that there is no primary, verifiable evidence from the White House or Walter Reed suggesting any planned surgical procedure.

What Is A Double Hip Replacement?

As per NIH researchers, a double hip replacement, also known as a bilateral hip replacement, is a surgical procedure where both hip joints are replaced in a single operation. This is performed when both hips are severely damaged, often due to conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The procedure can be done simultaneously (one surgery) or in stages (separate surgeries), but the simultaneous approach is often preferred as it typically has a shorter overall recovery time and lower risk of systemic complications like blood clots compared to two separate surgeries.

South Korean author Baek See-he, who courageously chronicled her struggles with mental health in the bestselling memoir I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki, passed away at the age of 35. Her death was announced by the Korea Organ Donation Agency, which revealed that Baek donated her heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, ultimately saving five lives.

While the exact cause of her death was not disclosed, Baek’s writing had already offered readers a deeply personal glimpse into her battles with depression and anxiety. Her 2018 memoir captures dialogues with her psychiatrist over twelve weeks, combined with reflective essays that explore the cycles of self-abuse and the challenges of living with a persistent depressive disorder. Following the success of her first book, Baek published a sequel in 2019, I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki, which delves into the ongoing journey of striving for contentment, highlighting her openness and vulnerability.

Baek’s Battle with Dysthymia

Baek openly discussed her long-standing struggle with dysthymia, a mild but persistent form of depression. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, dysthymia affects roughly 2 percent of adults worldwide. The condition is believed to have a combination of biological, psychological, genetic, and environmental factors, although no specific genes have yet been linked to it. Chronic stress and trauma are also known contributors.

Symptoms of dysthymia are generally milder than major depression but are long-lasting. They often include a consistently sad or anxious mood, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, low energy, hopelessness, changes in appetite or weight, disturbed sleep patterns, and low self-esteem. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and therapy. Antidepressants can take several weeks to show full effects, and cognitive behavioral or interpersonal therapy helps patients manage distorted thoughts, improve relationships, and navigate stress.

A Legacy Through Organ Donation

Baek’s passing was marked not only by sorrow but also by the profound impact of her organ donation. According to reports cited by The Guardian and The Telegraph India, her heart, lungs, liver, and both kidneys were recovered at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital in Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul—the same hospital where she was born. Baek was declared brain-dead on October 16, and her decision to donate her organs has given five people a chance at life.

Born in 1990, Baek studied creative writing at university before working for five years in a publishing house. She shared her home with her rescue dog, Jaram, and underwent psychiatric treatment for dysthymia for over a decade. The idea for her memoir grew out of her blog posts sharing therapy notes, which drew significant positive feedback from readers.

Her memoir, published in Korea in 2018 and in the UK in 2022 by Bloomsbury, combines candid discussions with her psychiatrist with reflective essays, presenting a clear-eyed yet compassionate look at living with a chronic mental health condition. Her follow-up book, released in the UK last year, continued this narrative, exploring her ongoing journey toward self-acceptance and emotional resilience.

Writing That Resonated Worldwide

Baek’s memoir, named after her favourite Korean dish, tteokbokki—a spicy rice cake dish—struck a chord with readers, selling around 600,000 copies in Korea and over a million worldwide. Her work has been published in more than 25 countries, offering a rare, unflinching insight into mental health while inspiring empathy and understanding.

Health officials in the United States have raised alarms after confirming cases of a more severe mpox strain, known as Clade I, in California. This marks the first reported instance of this strain spreading locally, as previous US cases had all been linked to international travel.

So far, three cases have been confirmed across Southern California, including Los Angeles County and Long Beach. All patients required hospitalization but are now recovering at home. The discovery has triggered concern among health experts as Clade I mpox is known to cause more serious illness than the milder Clade II strain that led to the 2022 global outbreak.

What Is Clade I Mpox?

Mpox (formerly called monkeypox) is caused by a virus from the same family as smallpox. There are two main genetic variants or clades that infect humans, Clade I and Clade II.

While Clade II was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022–23, Clade I has historically circulated in parts of central and western Africa. It is associated with more severe disease, higher rates of complications, and in some cases, fatalities, particularly among children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

Experts are now investigating how this strain might have started circulating within US borders and whether community transmission is occurring.

Early Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Mpox usually begins with flu-like symptoms and can be easily mistaken for a seasonal illness in its early stages. Common early signs include:

• Fever, chills, or sweating
• Headache and muscle aches
• Fatigue or weakness
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sore throat or nasal congestion

Within a few days, a distinctive rash develops, starting as red spots that progress into fluid-filled blisters or pustules. These can appear on the face, palms, soles, genitals, or even inside the mouth and eyes. The rash typically scabs over and heals within two to four weeks.

In more severe Clade I infections, complications may include secondary bacterial infections, prolonged healing, scarring, eye involvement leading to blindness, or inflammation of internal organs. In rare cases, systemic infection can occur, posing life-threatening risks.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Certain groups are more likely to contract or develop severe mpox:

• Those in close, intimate, or prolonged contact with an infected person
• Individuals who share contaminated clothing, bedding, or surfaces
• People exposed to respiratory droplets through face-to-face interaction
• Individuals with multiple sexual partners or exposure in commercial sexual venues
• People with compromised immunity, such as those living with HIV, cancer, or transplant recipients

Children and pregnant women

Public health experts emphasize that awareness of symptoms and early diagnosis are key to preventing further spread.

How to Stay Safe

While most mpox cases are not fatal, Clade I poses a higher risk, making prevention critical. Health agencies recommend the following:

• Avoid direct contact with people who have rashes or lesions resembling mpox.
• Do not share personal items like towels, bedding, or clothing.
• Practice good hand hygiene, wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Use masks in crowded or high-risk settings where close contact occurs.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you notice suspicious rashes or flu-like symptoms after possible exposure.

Experts also stress that vaccines used during the 2022 outbreak, such as Jynneos, remain effective against both Clade I and Clade II strains. Vaccination, combined with early treatment and isolation of confirmed cases, is expected to play a crucial role in containing the spread.