• We are 23 of the 27 original members of the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) for the World Health Organization (WHO). • After nearly 3.5 years of deliberations, we concluded our independent assessment of the origin of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and provided our report1 in June 2025 to the WHO director-general. • Meet the scientists investigating the origins of the COVID pandemic In the 78-page document, we determined that most of the peer-reviewed scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic origin, meaning that it came from an animal. • But until requests for additional information are met or more data become available, there can be no certainty about when, where and how SARS-CoV-2 entered the human population. • Although the term of the first SAGO group ended in October last year, meaning we are no longer members, the WHO has proposed a second term for SAGO and issued a call for new participants. • Our 2025 report1 provides recommendations for subsequent investigations seeking to establish the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Article Summaries:

  • In June 2025, 23 of the 27 original members of the World Health Organization’s Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) released a 78‑page report after 3½ years of study. The report concludes that the bulk of peer‑reviewed evidence supports a zoonotic origin for SARS‑CoV‑2, but it cannot yet pinpoint the exact time, place or mechanism of spill‑over. SAGO stresses that further data are needed and offers recommendations for future investigations. The group’s term ended in October 2024, and the WHO has called for new members to continue the work.
  • We are 23 of the 27 original members of the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) for the World Health Organization (WHO). After nearly 3.5 years of deliberations, we concluded our independent assessment of the origin of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and provided our report1 in June 2025 to the WHO director-general. Meet the scientists investigating the origins of the COVID pandemic In the 78-page document, we determined that most of the peer-reviewed scientific evidence supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic origin, meaning that it came from an anim

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