News > WHO dismisses lead COVID-19 origins investigator for sexual misconduct

WHO dismisses lead COVID-19 origins investigator for sexual misconduct

The WHO said on May 3 that it has dismissed a senior scientist, known for his role as the head of an international mission to China to probe the origins of COVID-19, for sexual misconduct. The U.N. agency said Peter Ben Embarek, a Danish scientist who previously headed up its 'One Health' initiative on diseases jumping from animals to humans, was removed from his post last year. Ben Embarek said he contested the accusation of harassment and was challenging the sanction.