Leading scientists show animal market in China the starting point of the COVID-19 outbreak
The co-authored studies were published on Tuesday in the world-renowned journal Science
28th July 2022, Cape Town - Two publications by leading scientists say there is "compelling evidence" to show that the Wuhan Huanan seafood and wildlife market was at the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The analyses indicate “that the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) occurred via the live wildlife trade in China."
One of the key authors, Virologist Michael Worobey from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, stated that "it is simply not plausible that this virus was introduced to the Wuhan market in any way other than through the wild animal trade."
FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation, has again reiterated its call for an immediate ban on the hugely dangerous and divisive trade of wildlife animals.
Vanessa Amoroso-Leil, Head of Wild Animals in Trade for FOUR PAWS, said that evidence shows "that the wildlife trade was inextricably linked to the pandemic and its outbreak. FOUR PAWS once again calls for the immediate end to the commercial wildlife trade and live animal markets.”
Amoroso-Leil continued: “There must be a global response too, with stricter regulatory measures which need to be addressed and adopted by all governments. The pandemic may be seen as a once in a lifetime event, but it will happen again if we do not address this issue now as well as other root causes.
“These are what we call “spill-over” events and although the study hasn’t pinpointed the wild animal as the host for the virus, it is undeniable that the wild-caught wildlife for commercial trade and consumption are highly dangerous activities. The emphasis should be now not on the wild animals that are sold, but our relationship with, and the way that we exploit them for profit.” /END
Background
Studies:
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za