It’s been over five years since a mysterious virus emerged in Wuhan, China, sparking a global pandemic that changed the world forever.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is believed to have originated from bats, but its exact path is still unknown. Scientists think it may have infected another species before being transmitted to humans at a market in Wuhan, where the first human cases appeared in late 2019.
Despite numerous investigations, the true origin of the pandemic remains a mystery. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on China to share more data with investigators, emphasizing transparency as a “moral and scientific imperative” to prevent future epidemics.
So far, COVID-19 has claimed over 20 million lives worldwide, with older adults being disproportionately affected. Vaccines developed in record time have saved millions of lives and are now widely available globally.
However, the virus is still evolving, and new variants continue to emerge. The WHO reports that the omicron variant, which became dominant last year, causes less severe disease than its predecessor, delta. Despite this, long COVID remains a pressing concern, with millions of people experiencing lingering symptoms for months or even years after infection.
The cause of long COVID is still unknown, but researchers believe it may be linked to the persistence of coronavirus remnants in some patients’ bodies. Vaccination has been shown to lower the risk of developing long COVID, and scientists are working on next-generation vaccines that might offer improved protection against mild infections.
As we move forward, understanding COVID-19’s origins and long-term effects will remain crucial in shaping global health strategies and preventing future pandemics.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/01/03/five-years-after-covid-appeared-mysteries-remain-heres-what-we-know