Independent assessment of the origins of SARS‑CoV‑2

Overview

The Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) provided initial findings and recommendations to better understand the origins of SARS‑CoV‑2 in a report published on 9 June 2022 (WHO, 2022).

This current review is an independent assessment of the origins of SARS‑CoV‑2 developed by the SAGO for WHO, and provides an evaluation of the information from published scientific papers and reports, available intelligence statements and reports, scientific presentations provided to SAGO and expert discussions held by SAGO during closed meetings between November 2021 and June 2025.

SAGO during closed meetings between November 2021 and June 2025. Understanding the origins of SARS‑CoV‑2 and how it sparked a pandemic is needed to help prevent future pandemics, save lives and livelihoods, and reduce global suffering. Ultimately, this pursuit underscores our collective responsibility to safeguard human health and well-being.

The document also offers recommendations on the further recommended studies and the critical importance of sharing all information as soon as possible to improve our understanding of the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and prevent future pandemics.  

The executive summary of this assessment is also available in following languages:

1. correction of the reference of the WHO-China 2021 report from WHO, 2020g to WHO,2021c on page 9; and
2. correction of the date of collection of the BANAL-52 virus from 2018 to 2020 on page 13