WHO unveils new virus advisory group

The World Health Organization, or WHO, on Wednesday announced the proposed members of the organization's Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens, also known as SAGO.

Following a public call for experts, 26 specialists, including Yang Yungui from China, were selected from over 700 applications, chosen for their expertise and experience in a range of disciplines, as well as their geographic and gender diversity.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday that China would continue to support and participate in global scientific origin tracing and firmly oppose any form of political manipulation.

China always maintains that origin tracing is a serious and complex scientific issue and should be carried out by scientists through cooperation, he told reporters at a daily news conference in Beijing.

"We hope that all parties concerned, including the WHO secretariat and the advisory group, will effectively uphold an objective and responsible scientific attitude," the spokesman said.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Wednesday: "SAGO will advise WHO on the development of a global framework to define and guide studies into the origins of emerging and reemerging pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential, including SARS-CoV-2."

There will now be a two-week public consultation period for the WHO to receive feedback on the proposed SAGO members, following which the composition of SAGO will be confirmed and the group will have its first meeting.

Tedros said: "The emergence of new viruses with the potential to spark epidemics and pandemics is a fact of nature, and while SARSCoV-2 is the latest such virus, it will not be the last."

The announcement came as the number of weekly reported deaths from COVID-19 continues to decline, and is currently at its lowest level in almost a year.

"But it's still an unacceptably high level－almost 50,000 deaths a week, and the real number is certainly higher," Tedros said. "Deaths are declining in every region except Europe, where several countries are facing fresh waves of cases and deaths. And of course, deaths are highest in the countries and populations with the least access to vaccines."

According to the United Nations health body, 56 countries that were effectively excluded from the global vaccine marketplace were not able to reach the target of vaccinating 10 percent of their populations by the end of September－and most of them in Africa. Even more countries are at risk of missing the 40 percent target by the end of this year.