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Why snakes probably aren’t spreading the new China virus

One genetic analysis suggests reptilian reservoir — but researchers doubt that the coronavirus could have originated in animals other than birds or mammals.
  1. Ewen Callaway
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  2. David Cyranoski

    1. David Cyranoski reports for Nature from Shanghai, China.

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As human cases rise in a mysterious viral outbreak that originated in China, scientists are rushing to identify the animals, where they suspect the epidemic began. In a controversial study published last night, a team of researchers in China claimed to have an answer: snakes.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-00180-8

References

  1. Ji, W., Wang, W., Zhao, X., Zai, J. & Li, X. J. Med. Virol. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25682 (2020).

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  2. Hu, B. et al. PLoS Pathog. 13, e1006698 (2017).

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