The widespread terror of deadly viruses has disrupted the trade and to some extent, economies as well. China on Sunday ordered a temporary ban on the wild animals’ trade in the light of recent events as it is widely believed that the virus spawned in a market involved in selling wild animals as food. Raising, transporting or selling of all wild animals is forbidden as the ban had come into effect until the national epidemic situation is over. The ban was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to reign in the situation.
The deadly virus has already claimed 56 according to reports and more than 2000 people are reportedly infected with the virus in China alone. The virus is spreading to a dozen countries. The origin of the virus is guessed in Wuhan city’s central market area where a range of wildlife species was being sold.
Conservationists have long accused China of tolerating a shady trade in exotic animals for food. They have also pointed out that these animals were being used as ingredients in medicines. The list included endangered species like pangolin or tiger. Health organizations are saying that the trade poses a significant and growing public health risk as dangerous animal-borne pathogens are invading the human ecosystem.
The bushmeat trade is brining human encroachment on wild habitats a step closer in contact with animal viruses that can rapidly spread in today’s connected world.
China had previous crackdowns on the wildlife trade, but the conservationists claim that China resumes the trade over time.
