2,000 Pets Together with Hamsters and Chinchillas to Be Killed to Curb COVID Unfold

In a COVID-19 press convention held Tuesday (January18,) the Hong Kong authorities introduced a number of small rodents examined optimistic for the virus at a pet store. This adopted an worker on the pet store testing optimistic on Monday.

Pet house owners have been instructed in the event that they purchased hamsters or small pets from the shop after January 7, they might want to hand them over to be culled.

It was reported nationally that the federal government has examined lots of of samples collected from the small animals. To this point solely the hamsters have examined optimistic.

Based on the Related Press, an official from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Division stated that the Hong Kong authorities may also cease the import and sale of small mammals. All pet retailers promoting hamsters should stop operations, the federal government stated, including round 2,000 small animals will likely be culled humanely because of the optimistic checks.

Based on Reuters, Well being Secretary Sophia Chan stated the transfer could be taken though there was no proof that domestic animals can cross the virus to people.

She stated: “To watch out, we’ll take preventive measures towards any transmission potentialities that we can’t rule out.”

Based on Reuters, Siu-fai Leung, director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Division, stated: “Pet house owners ought to preserve hygiene observe, together with washing palms after touching the animals, dealing with their meals or different objects, and keep away from kissing the animals.”

Based on the CDC, there may be “no proof at the moment” that animals play a big function in spreading the virus to folks. The group stated extra research are wanted to know if and the way completely different animals could possibly be affected by COVID-19.

Some strains of coronavirus that infect animals might be unfold to folks, nevertheless that is uncommon. The CDC stated that that is what occurred with SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, which possible originated in bats.

Animals which have examined optimistic with COVID-19 grew to become contaminated after contact with folks.

Lawrence Younger, virologist and professor at Warwick Medical Faculty within the U.Ok., commented on the information of the cull: “There isn’t a direct proof for animal to human transmission,” he stated in a press release. “It’s fascinating, nevertheless, that pet animals and different species can get contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 and that sure virus variants are extra environment friendly at infecting mice. Whether or not this ends in ranges of virus replication vital sufficient for these animals to contaminate people has not been demonstrated.”

Hong Kong is at present following China’s “zero tolerance” coverage for COVID-19 circumstances. China is among the solely international locations on this planet nonetheless working underneath strict restrictions.

The zero tolerance method implies that the nation is strict on making certain early detection of the virus, frequent contact-tracing, lengthy quarantines and monitoring border management.

Hong Kong had three months with none native transmission in any respect, nevertheless it noticed a contemporary wave late final 12 months with the emergence of the Omicron variant.

From January 7, the Hong Kong authorities imposed restrictions to final for 14 days. At current, all eating places should cease providing dine-in providers from 6 p.m., and all bars and nightclubs are shut.

Many of the new circumstances detected are the Omicron variant, nevertheless the pressure detected on the pet store employee was Delta.

This text has been up to date to incorporate extra details about the cull and feedback from Lawrence Younger.