A ban on certain wild animals being eaten has been implemented in Wuhan.
Viruses and other pathogens can thrive in wet market environments.
The ban includes hunting, consuming and breeding, and has come almost 5 months after scientists identified that the market was a possible source of the Coronavirus. Those in charge will review the ban in 5 years time.
The ban, which will be a hit to the multi billion pound industry which employs millions, will include such animals as tigers, lions, peacocks, bats, pangolins and snakes. Pangolins are believed to be the intermediate hosts that the 2019-20 Coronavirus jumped to humans from, scientists say. Pangolins have been used in Chinese medical practices and the meat has been consumed for many years, so all things considered, including the scientific analysis, the pangolin is very likely the animal that the virus came to humans from. (After pangolins were infected by bats, where the disease is said to have originated).
When speaking about the 5 year review on the wet market exotic food ban, Peter Li, China policy specialist of Humane Society International, said: “Wuhan’s ban on wildlife consumption is extremely welcome as a clear recognition that the public health risk of zoonotic disease spread via the wildlife trade must be taken very seriously if we are to avoid another pandemic.
“There will, however, be no less severe of a disease risk from wildlife consumption in five years’ time, so anything short of a permanent and comprehensive ban is still a risk too far.”
There are also bans on online sales of such animals, and the promotion of exotic recipes that include the banned animals, which may “temp” residents in eating them illegally.
