What is a wet market and why are they allowed to continue amid the coronavirus crisis?

  • 📰 SBSNews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 76 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 34%
  • Publisher: 89%

South Africa News News

South Africa South Africa Latest News,South Africa South Africa Headlines

The future of wet markets could be in doubt as the world deals with the global coronavirus pandemic, but some facilities have already re-opened in China.

China has reopened some of its 'wet markets' despite the live animal markets being the suspected origin of the coronavirus pandemic, raising concerns about public health and animal welfare.

Nicola Beynon from animal rights group Society International said the markets have not only existed in Asia, but also in Africa and South America. "We moved to what is referred to as 'box meat trade', where people buy animals already slaughtered and processed and just cook the meat. But of course, in a lot of countries, that's not the case. There is still the practice of slaughtering animals, perhaps at the time they are being purchased, or taking animals home." The 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, known as SARS, was thought to have emerged from wet markets in China's Guangdong province.

Research published in the Royal Society Proceedings B journal shows infectious diseases from wildlife have emerged at an increased pace in the past century. Several petitions - addressed to US President Donald Trump and the United Nations - have been pushing for a ban on wet markets since the coronavirus outbreak, and have attracted thousands of signatures.

A dog in Hong Kong became infected with coronavirus and a tiger in New York has also tested positive. But the WHO said there was no evidence to indicate the disease can be caught from a pet. "We can clearly see the great risks to the health and wellbeing of the rest of the world as a result of these types of places and facilities," he said."Now, I'm not making any criticisms of anyone, I'm not making any cultural references or anything like that."

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 3. in ZA
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

This show is on tonight at 9:25pm. If you love animals, be prepared to be appalled. WetMarkets AnimalWelfare AnimalRights COVID19

tolmer_trenton Disgusting individuals.

China has clearly learnt nothing.

Not just China. So many Asian/African countries continue to operate these disgusting markets and kill endangered species. It all has to stop now, I don't care about their cultural traditions. They are destroying the world! No more mad cow disease because Europe revised practises

Indigenous Australians rue the day virus bearing White people came to their land. Killed 90 percent and ripped the land off at gunpoint. Wow.

Perhaps the future of letting filthy Chinese into Australia is over .

These Chinese are just revolting, they should be banned from every single country.

chinese food

chinese food

WetMarket ChinaVirus china

The virus 'cross over' from animals to humans will continue to happen all the time wet markets & sale of bush meat ESPECIALLY BATS happens. Several nations globally have these. It's not racist to call it out. IT'S GLOBAL SAFETY

Nuke the panheads

But WHO said they were ok

No doubts here. Should be banned forever.

74Barbara F&$wits

She's smiling at tonight's dinner!

Nuke em.

This has become way beyond a cultural or socioeconomic issue. This disgusting practice is wiping out humanity. Get over yourself do gooders.

The problems is not so much 'wet' market, be honest and menrion the type of crap on sale for 'food' which needs ro be banned, in China and elsewhere.

animalCruelty

I think we’re beyond questioning whether a wet market should exist or not. They’re a fucking disgrace.

China has to change. If not Boycottchina

China still doesn’t admit they started the virus due to the cruel eating habits

make the fucking Chinese pay for all the damage around the world, they stated it, make them pay

How are markets in Australia that sell fresh produce, such as fish markets, not wet markets by the definition given in this article? “Wet markets sell fresh food and produce - as opposed to 'dry' goods such as clothing..”

Can media outlets stop quoting WHO. They’ve shown time and again they can’t be trusted. You may as well just get a quote direct from the Chinese Communist Party’s propoganda machine.

Wet markets should be banned worldwide, and the phrase should never be uttered again *shudder*

Aren’t wet markets necessary because the communities where they’re prevalent are so economically fragile that they can’t afford refrigeration; because they’re paid $1 a day to make $10 shirts for the people commenting here to buy at Kmart?

If they Think it is ok to kill people world wide, because of some weird fucken fetish for torturing animals, then they should be ostracised by the rest of the world. Our old people, disabled, and health workers shouldn’t be dying while they are back at it.

What a disgrace

Have they started frying dogs alive in woks again?

Good luck with shutting them down!

‘The WHO has told SBS News it doesn't advocate to prohibit wet markets because they are a source of livelihood for many and offer food security’ - not really helping things WHO .

They are dirty.

There are a lot wet markets in developing countries

How is there any doubt?

'Could be' Jesus fucking Christ.

South Africa South Africa Latest News, South Africa South Africa Headlines