Fresh remarks by former White House COVID-19 adviser Dr. Ashish Jha have reignited debate over the origins of COVID-19.
Former white house adviser and COVID-19 coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, renewed the debate over the origin of COVID-19; he now believes that the COVID-19 pandemic was most likely caused by a laboratory leak rather than by natural transmission.
Former Biden adviser backs lab leak theory
In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on 2/08/2026, Jha said that the origin of the virus is most probable is by laboratory accident; he made this statement after reviewing more information over the past years.
“When I went into the White House, my view was, ‘This was almost surely a natural outbreak, maybe a lab leak,'” he said. “Based on information I learned and based on information I’ve seen, I have come to conclude that it is more likely to have been a lab leak.”
On social media platform X, he wrote, “My view on COVID origins isn’t new — I’ve held it since my time at the White House,” Jha, former Biden adviser.
Also in an interview with CNN’s he said that, “Here’s the truth: no one in America knows for sure. Anyone telling you they do is selling you something. Based on strong circumstantial evidence I’ve seen, I think a lab leak is much more likely.”
Jha further added he is claiming only an accidental laboratory leak, “not engineered. Not deliberate.
“No one in the United States knows for sure. The only people who know for sure are officials in China, and we still need transparency and accountability on that. My best assessment is that it probably was a lab leak.”
Why the origin of COVID-19 remains uncertain
The origins of COVID-19 remains uncertain since the pandemic began in 2020. Scientists and researchers have proposed multiple hypotheses, including natural transmission from animals to humans and a possible laboratory incident; however, no conclusive evidence has confirmed either theory. Dr. Ashish Jha also acknowledged that he considered the lab leak hypothesis the most likely explanation, although definitive proof is still lacking.
Conclusion
The exact origin of COVID-19 remains unresolved despite years of scientific investigation. While Dr. Ashish Jha believes the lab leak theory is the most likely explanation, he acknowledged that conclusive evidence is still unavailable. Continued research and international cooperation will be essential to better understand the virus’s origins and strengthen preparedness for future pandemics.
References:
- Dr. Ashish Jha on COVID-19: ‘It probably was a lab leak’ – (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/02/politics/video/former-white-house-covid-19-response-coordinator-dr-ashish-jha-dana-bash-it-was-probably-a-lab-leak)
- Former Biden Covid adviser says lab leak is the most likely origin of Covid-19 – (https://www.firstpost.com/world/former-biden-covid-adviser-says-lab-leak-is-the-most-likely-origin-of-covid-19-14035803.html)
- Lab Leak ‘More Likely’ Origin of COVID-19, Says Former Biden Adviser Dr. Ashish Jha – (https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/lab-leak-more-likely-origin-of-covid-19-says-former-biden-adviser-dr-ashish-jha-article-155255474)
Source-Medindia