Raccoon Dogs at Wuhan Market Linked to COVID-19 Pandemic Origins

Genetic data from swabs taken from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, has linked the coronavirus with raccoon dogs for sale there, adding evidence to the case that the pandemic could have been ignited by an infected animal that was being dealt through the illegal wildlife trade. The genetic data was drawn from samples taken from the market in January 2020, shortly after Chinese authorities had shut down the market because of suspicions that it was linked to the outbreak of a new virus.