World Health Organisation calls on China to share Covid data

The World Health Organisation has called on China to share data on the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic on the five-year anniversary of its emergence in Wuhan.

"This is a moral and scientific imperative," the WHO said in a statement to mark what it called the "milestone" anniversary.

"Without transparency, sharing, and co-operation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics," it added.

China has not responded to the statement from the WHO on Tuesday and has strongly rejected claims the virus was leaked from a laboratory in the past.

In its statement, the WHO traced Covid's evolution from a local phenomenon to a global pandemic which led to lockdowns around the world amid a race to develop vaccines.

"Five years ago, on 31 December 2019, WHO's Country Office in China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on cases of 'viral pneumonia' in Wuhan, China," the organisation said.

"In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, Covid-19 came to shape our lives and our world."

WHO said it went to work "immediately" as the New Year dawned, activating emergency systems on January 1 and informing the world on January 4.

"By 9-12 January, WHO had published its first set of comprehensive guidance for countries, and on 13 January, we brought together partners to publish the blueprint of the first SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test.

"All along, we convened experts and ministries of health from around the world, gathered and analysed data, and shared what was reported, what we learned and what it meant for people."

In reiterating the call for China to share all data and access, the organisation also paid tribute to those who suffered from Covid-19 and the health workers who toiled through the pandemic.

"Let’s take a moment to honour the lives changed and lost, recognise those who are suffering from Covid-19 and #longcovid, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from Covid-19 to build a healthier tomorrow."