Updated January 26th, 2020 at 14:07 IST
Chinese wet markets under scrutiny once again as Coronavirus spreads
Images of Chinese 'wet markets' where exotic animals are sold for human consumption are being shared on Weibo as the deadly Coronavirus continues to spread
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As the mysterious Coronavisurs continues to spread, many Chinese social media users have shared images of 'wet markets' on China's popular social media site Weibo. With the continued spread of the deadly virus whose origin is yet to be determined, these markets have now once again come under scrutiny.
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What is a wet market?
'Wet markets' are places where animals are sold for the purpose of human consumption. As per reports, sales on exotic animals often also take place at these markets amidst more normal poultry and seafood sales. Recent images circulating on China's most used social media Weibo show rats, snakes, fruit bats, wolf pups, porcupines, koalas, and parts of other animals allegedly for sale at various 'wet markets'.
The sales take place on dirt-encrusted floors and walls splattered with blood. The blood not only gives the market its name (i.e. 'Wet markets') but also creates a breeding ground for disease.
The state of hygiene at these 'wet markets' has been reported as poor. Yet, shoppers file through these busy markets to buy products, and thus possibly come into contact and spread any new diseases.
Hi, Chinese wet markets are very prone to zoonotic viruses and very dangerous to humans. The 2003 SARS-CoV came from bats and civet cats before (also in a Chinese wet market before). As well as the H1N1 came from birds and pigs.https://t.co/PFQNCftFG1 pic.twitter.com/SyyKVZ1dBe
— 𝒴𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶 (@ynntps)
To the best of my understanding a Chinese wet market is not for the squeamish. Some of the cuisine in certain sectors of Chinese society would give a Klingon pause, I think. #WuhanCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/fo7JkIEXNn
— Kenneth Freeman (@kencf0618)
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'Ground Zero' of the virus
The virus according to reports is believed to have originated at the Huanan Seafood Market which also functioned as a 'wet market'. Amid the growing scare concerning the new Coronavirus, the Huanan Seafood Market was closed on January 1.
Shanghai Disneyland is closed even though it is the beginning of the celebration of Chinese New Year. The Wuhan Coronavirus appears to have begun in bats, then moved to snakes being sold in a wet market, the Huanan Seafood Market - the apparent index case of the outbreak.
— TinselTits McGhee (@Yurmom31)
The Wuhan market at the center of the outbreak remains tightly sealed
— Darlington Micah (@DarlingtonMicah)
In the heart of Wuhan's city center is the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.
Under normal circumstances it would be packed with shoppers scrambling for fish and seafood in preparation of the Lunar New Year. pic.twitter.com/W5JMh79SVY
Various local media and international reports have dubbed the market as 'Ground Zero.' The director of China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gao Fu has been quoted saying that the animals sold illegally in Wuhan seafood market are to blame for the killer illness.
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(With inputs from Agencies; Image credits: Weibo)
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Published January 26th, 2020 at 14:07 IST