The unlawful sale of raccoon dogs in China may have contributed to the spread of COVID : study

Researchers have discovered evidence that suggests COVID-19 may have spread from sick raccoon dogs that were being sold illegally at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. The 2020 study collected samples from the carts, walls, flooring, and cages used to transport the animals. The samples' analysis found that they contained genetic material from many animals, including raccoon dogs  cases.

The results, according to the scientists involved, provide a crucial tip for unravelling the virus's history. Additionally, it demonstrates that China is hoarding more data than it has ever disclosed or distributed internationally.

Because Chinese researchers secretly posted 600 gigabytes of data on GISAID, a database of genetic sequences, an international team of researchers was able to analyse samples from swabs taken shortly after authorities closed down Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which was connected to the first known Covid-19 cases.