The Origins of Coronavirus Explained in 1 Minute

The new COVID-19 virus is thought to have originated in a crowded so-called ‘wet market’ in Wuhan, selling marmots, birds, dogs, pigs, badgers, rabbits, bats, snakes, wolf pups, cicadas, scorpions, bamboo rats, squirrels, foxes, salamanders, turtles, crocodiles and civet cats. Live wild and farmed animals are packed into crowded cages alongside each other – think of it as an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of infectious diseases.

Here, we explain the origin of COVID-19 and take closer look at the gentle, fascinating mammal, the pangolin.

For more information on zoonotic diseases and the link between animals and pandemics visit our 3in4 campaign page.