UN diversity chief says wet markets are ‘risk factor’ for disease spread

In view of coronavirus pandemic that has engulfed world, UN biodiversity chief Elizabeth Maruma Mrema has reportedly called for scaling up stricter control on sale and consumption of wild species as she believes that wet markets in China’s Wuhan city are an important ‘risk factor’ for disease spre. Wild animals sold in ‘wet markets’ such as Huanan Seafood Market are believed to be source of vel coronavirus pandemic. dely coronavirus outbreak has alrey claimed more than 82,000 lives around world and has affected almost 209 countries and territories. 

Mrema said, “Measures taken by countries to reduce number of live animals in food markets have potential to significantly reduce risk of future disease outbreaks and stricter controls on sale and consumption of wild species must be scaled up globally”. 

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She, however, also ted that such markets sustain livelihoods of millions of people and several also rely on wild meat as a critical source of food security and nutrition. She also pointed out that a blanket ban may invertently increase risk of illegal tre of species used as food and medicine, particularly among some communities that may attach strong cultural and societal referents to some wild species used and tred as foods, medicines, or for or purposes.

However, she stressed that re is a rapidly emerging body of scientific evidence to suggest that coronavirus is likely to have a zootic origin. She ded that a concerted action supported by a long-term vision, one that enables world to fundamentally transform collective understanding and relationship with natural world, to protect possible future pandemic outbreaks. 

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Coalition to pressure China into closing wet markets 

Meanwhile, a coalition is being formed in United States to exert pressure on China to close its infamous wet markets. As per international media reports, members who are likely to be a part of it include US President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham and several animal rights forums including Humane Society of United States, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and Animal Wellness Action. main aim of coalition is to put pressure on Beijing directly to close wet markets like ones in Wuhan. According to leers, risks posed by wet markets are too high. Meanwhile, several online petitions have alrey taken off urging China to shut se markets.

Meanwhile, China's 'wet markets' have been reopened and sale of bats, pangolins and dogs for human consumption has resumed in country.  coronavirus outbreak h earlier been pinned down by WHO to one such 'wet-market' in Wuhan, with a 'patient zero' recently being identified.

(Im source: Unsplash) 

(With PTI inputs)

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