Dr Peter Embarek, a scientist for Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses of World Health Organization. (Photo: CCTV)

The COVID-19 virus originates from bats in nature and occasionally spread to humans through other animals of different species, an expert for the World Health Organization said on Friday.

The virus could lead to disease after adaptation to humans, said Dr Peter Embarek, a scientist for Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses of World Health Organization, adding that such transmission is caused by close contact with animals.

Research on COVID-19 transmission and infection in animals is underway, said Embarek.