The WHO scientist said that almost all viral infections that have emerged are zoonotic infections.
Two years into the pandemic, governments around the world are eager to put COVID-19 behind them. But the hardest part is yet to come for scientists and public health officials.
World Health Organization chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan sees a long road ahead not only to determine the origin of the coronavirus outbreak, but also to educate people about public health and gain international support for the WHO.
The following are excerpts from a January 27 interview with Swaminathan for “Emma Barnett Meets” by Bloomberg QuickTake.
bloombergWas the politicization of science a surprise?
Swaminathan: It was one of the things that surprised me the most. Very disappointed to see the attack on scientists and science. And it grew stronger during the pandemic and has the potential to do a lot of damage. We really need to work with young people to improve scientific literacy, health literacy, and to think more rationally by questioning the information they see.
bloombergWhat do we know about the origin of the coronavirus?
Swaminathan: Almost all viral infections that have emerged recently are zoonotic infections. From HIV, the Zika virus, Ebola, SARS and MERS, are the other two major coronaviruses that have infected humans. They emerge from an animal and then sometimes through an intermediate host. In this case, the genetic sequences still point to the origin, probably from bats. What we didn’t get is how, when and where did this jump from animals to humans come from. Understanding this is important to prevent future pandemics.
bloombergIs it unusual that the initial cause of the outbreak is still unclear?
Swaminathan: This is not so strange because even in the past, it takes years to understand the origin of viruses. It took many years to learn that SARS came from civet cats and that MERS was spread from camels. And for HIV, it took a long time to understand that it came from chimpanzees.
bloombergHave you dismissed the theory that the corona virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China?
Swaminathan: Nothing has been ruled out. The weight of the evidence needed to be looked at, and scientists who went to China realized that the most likely scenario was that it came from an animal. Whether it is a wild animal, a domesticated wild animal, or a domestic animal – a bird or a bat – that we still do not know. We need to examine all the data and do more studies in this area in China.
bloomberg: Does WHO need more power?
Swaminathan: Yes, especially to investigate outbreaks that can lead to epidemics. It needs 194 member states to come together to agree on a set of rules empowering the WHO to conduct such investigations that will benefit all. Such discussions will take place.
bloombergQ: Could the World Health Organization have done a better job as a global leader during the pandemic?
Swaminathan: In retrospect, things could have been done differently or better. But when a public health emergency of international concern was declared, there were fewer than 100 cases, two infections outside China, and no deaths. Very few countries took it seriously – no one was preparing for what happened a few weeks later in Europe and then in America. Precious time wasted.
bloombergWhen will the pandemic end?
Swaminathan: I don’t think anyone can predict it. Let’s not declare a pandemic like some people are doing now. It would be foolish to give up all the precautions that we have been taking for so long. We need to continue this and hopefully by the end of 2022 we will be in a much better position. A type can arise anywhere and you’re back to square one. We still need to be cautious.
bloombergRich countries, such as the US and many European countries, have ensured that their populations have access to multiple vaccine doses, while poor countries have been struggling to secure shots for their people. Have these policies contributed to the emergence of certain coronavirus variants?
Swaminathan: Yes. I guess we can say that. Seventy-five percent of people in Africa have not received their first dose. This is a recipe for allowing new types to develop because a virus is transmitting uncontrollably.
bloomberg: Even after the pandemic is over, will the world still have to deal with coronavirus in the future?
Swaminathan: We will learn how to live with it, like other respiratory viruses. We will have better surveillance system globally. We know it’s a good idea to wear your mask even if you have a common respiratory infection or flu. We should take it in future.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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