Chinese scientists have said the virus likely jumped from an animal to humans in a market that sold wildlife. But the existence of the facility has fuelled conspiracy theories that the germ spread from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, specifically its P4 laboratory which is equipped to handle dangerous viruses. SEE ALSO: Wuhan virus compounds Hong Kong's economic woesIn an interview with state media published Saturday Yuan Zhiming, director of the laboratory, said that "there's no way this virus came from us". When asked if the research suggested the virus could have come from the institute, Yuan said: "I know it's impossible." He said that because the P4 laboratory is in Wuhan "people can't help but make associations", but that some media outlets are "deliberately trying to mislead people".

Source: Standard Digital April 19, 2020 05:14 UTC