KUALA LUMPUR:It has been slightly over a year after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in China, yet the world is still puzzled over the true origin of the virus.
Even after 56 million cases and 1.3 million deaths, scientists have yet to zero in on how the virus got so out of control.
These questions and many more pressing ones - will be the focus of an international taskforce led by Dr. Peter Daszak, a disease ecologist who has spent years studying coronavirus transmission in China and Southeast Asia.
"We intend to conduct a thorough and rigorous investigation into the origins and early spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)," said Dr Daszak, who is the president of EcoHealth Alliance, a non-governmental organisation working on critical connections between human, animal, environment health on a global scale.
The 12-member taskforce is also part of The Lancet COVID-19 Commission. The Lancet is one of the world's oldest and most renowned weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal.
In a press release yesterday, the taskforce said its members come from a diverse set of scientific disciplines and backgrounds, with expertise in outbreak investigation, virology, lab biosecurity and disease ecology.
One of them is prominent Malaysian virologist Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit - a leader in emerging viral infections who was also central to the discovery of the Nipah virus.
"It is timely to form the commission as we now have more comprehensive data and materials to work with. This allows the commission to provide a "state-of-the art" assessment and offer governments, civil society, and U.N. institutions practical solutions and recommendations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," he told Bernama in an interview.
But how long would it take for the taskforce to come up with the answers the world has been waiting?
"This taskforce has been given 12 months to conduct an objective and rigorous scientific review of all available information on the origins, early control of the pandemic, and One Health solutions to future pandemic threats," said Lam, who is also a research consultant in Universiti Malaya and a Senior Fellow at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
One Health is an approach to design and implement programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes.
In its investigation, the taskforce will recreate COVID-19 outbreak timeline from the end of the SARS outbreak in 2003 up to WHO's declaration of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020.
They will also analyse the available evidence for each of the hypotheses put forward on the origins of COVID-19 and compare the early spread and control to previous outbreaks.
This is so that they can identify strategies that might assist future pandemic prevention, the taskforce said.
In the release, Dr Jeffrey D. Sachs of Columbia University, who is chair of The Lancet COVID-19 Commission, said that there was a great deal of interest in understanding how COVID-19 emerged and spread, but also a deeper reason for the taskforce's work.
"If we can understand why this pandemic began, we can help prevent the next one," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Nov 24 2020
Malaysian virologist Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit is a leader in emerging viral infections who was also central to the discovery of the Nipah virus. - BERNAMApic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.