Coronavirus Pandemic Likely Caused by Lab Leak

After creating widespread global devastation and panic, the origin of the coronavirus pandemic has largely remained a mystery. Now, new information has emerged that reinforces a claim that it somehow began spreading in Wuhan, China.

Citing a classified intelligence report provided to the White House and members of Congress, the United States Department of Energy, which oversees a network of 17 U.S. laboratories, offered a “low confidence” statement that claims the COVID-19 pandemic began as the result of an unintentional laboratory leak. The Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, a long-suspected source, has a documented history of working with Coronavirus research.

While the geographic origin of the virus is well-known, the debate continues as to whether the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak was the result of natural transmission or a negligent lab leak, which we are seeing more evidence arise. As the world continues to be affected by pandemic lockdowns and legislation, clarifying the root cause is critical to improving a global response to future biological threats and health crises. Scrutiny over preventative disinfection and decontamination precautions can mean the difference between an isolated scare or a global pandemic.

SteraMist iHP decontamination technology is currently used worldwide in highly classified laboratories that experiment with the most dangerous microorganisms - including chemical and biological warfare agents. In government laboratories throughout the United States, SteraMist is both deployed and integrated to control these threats on a routine basis. Held at multiple Department of Public Health facilities across the United States, SteraMist can be easily deployed in the event of an emergency. Whether that threat is a common outbreak of influenza or an unexpected resurgence of Ebola or Coronavirus, SteraMist remains vigilant in responding to large-scale outbreaks. Interested to see how SteraMist is used throughout multiple pandemics? Check out the SteraMist Pandemic History blog here.