Study: 47 thousand live animals were sold in the Chinese markets of Wuhan before the emergence of Corona

File photo of a market in Wuhan, China.

A new study showed that more than 47,000 live animals were on sale in the markets of the Chinese city of Wuhan over two and a half years before the first case of the emerging coronavirus (Covid-19) appeared in the city in late 2019, shedding light on the risks of spreading diseases from Wild animal trade.

A study published in the journal Scientific Reports showed that about 38 species of animals were sold in 17 markets in Wuhan from May 2017 to November 2019, of which 31 species are protected by laws, without safety measures, which increases health risks.

Many of the first human cases of the disease were associated with the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, and the infections were initially known to be cases of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to humans.

But some of the first cases of infection were also linked to other markets in Wuhan, where a separate type of SARS-CoV-2 was detected, raising the possibility that the spread began much earlier, possibly through the wildlife trade.

A study prepared by the World Health Organization jointly with China and published at the end of last March showed that there were no confirmed reports of live mammals being sold in Wuhan markets in 2019, and the study indicated that there was evidence that they were sold there in earlier times.

There has been speculation that SARS-Cove-2 could have leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan that studies coronaviruses, but it is widely believed that it first appeared in bats and that the closest matching strain was found in a cave in the Chinese province of Yunnan.

The joint study between China and the World Health Organization said that it is likely that the virus was transmitted to humans through an intermediary animal, and it is often indicated that the pangolin is the strongest candidate for this role.

The new study, prepared by researchers from China, Britain and Canada, found that there was no evidence of bats or pangolins being sold in Wuhan, but other animals such as minks, raccoon dogs, squirrels and foxes were available in the market.

After the first outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan, China launched a crackdown on wild animal smuggling and closed markets and animal breeding farms, but it still allowed some animals to be raised for their fur or for use in traditional Chinese medicine methods.

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