Prevent coronavirus, it's time to stop consuming wild animals

The results of the investigation on Journal of Medical Virology revealed that the plague novel coronavirus which is now attacking dozens of countries comes from snakes. However, this allegation was rejected by researchers from the Pasteur Institute of Shanghai, China. Instead of coming from snakes, they believe this virus arises from the consumption of wild animal meat.

China is not the only country that maintains a habit of consuming wild meat. Many countries in various parts of the world are implementing the same thing, including Indonesia. In fact, consumption of wild animal meat does not only support the spread of the plague novel coronavirus, but also other diseases.

Can spread itnovel coronavirus, why are wild animals still so popular?

Source:

The Huanan Market is supposed to be the initial place for its emergence novel coronavirus recently known not only sells seafood, but also 112 types of wild animals. The types of animals that are sold range from rats, snakes and bats, to more unusual ones such as hedgehogs and peacocks.

The largest market in Huanan City also provides processed food from the wild animal's meat. One of the diners' favorite wild animal dishes is bat soup, and this dish is said to be the origin of its spreadnovel coronavirus.

Since the outbreak of the plague coronavirus, many traders there have closed the description of selling wild animals in their shop. However, this has not dampened the interest of people who are accustomed to consuming wild animal meat.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

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The habit of consuming wild animal meat has indeed been inherent in various countries, as well as in several regions in Indonesia. In fact, the lack of hygiene makes the wild animal market a potential place for the spread of diseases, including infections novel coronavirus.

Source: Change

Zhenzhong Si, a researcher from China at the University of Waterloo, Canada, revealed several reasons why the wild animal market thrives in his home country. According to him, here are a number of factors that play an important role:

1. Considered a delicacy and a regional specialty

For certain groups of people, the meat of wild animals is considered a delicacy and is a characteristic of their territory. Wild animal meat is also considered more nutritious than livestock, because wild animals live naturally without human intervention.

Unfortunately, the natural living environment of these wild animals may have contributed to the emergence novel coronavirus. Wild animal markets are also a gathering place for viruses so there is a possibility for them coronavirusused to mutate to be dangerous.

2. Become a symbol of wealth

Si also said that the meat of wild animals is often seen as a symbol of wealth. The reason is, wild animal meat is sold at a high price and is more difficult to obtain. However, he did not mention the price set by traders in the market.

3. Become part of traditional medicine

Consumption of wild animal meat is still frequently applied in traditional Chinese medicine. Not a few believe that wild animal meat can boost the immune system and cure various diseases.

4. Tourists' curiosity

Another factor that supports the growth of the wild animal market is curious tourists. It is undeniable that the existence of a wild animal market is also an attraction for tourists. In fact, if they are infectednovel coronavirusin the wild animal market, the risk of spreading to their place of origin is even greater.

The view regarding the existence of a wild animal market is still difficult to change even though the times have developed rapidly. Without strict policies, the wild animal market will still survive and increase the risk of transmission of a number of diseases, no exception novel coronavirus.

Wild animal markets and dispersalnovel coronavirus

Source: Business Insider Singapore

Novel coronavirus which is thought to have come from a wild animal market in Wuhan which bears some resemblance to the causative virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). SARS had an epidemic in 2003 and spread to more than 20 countries.

As coronavirus another, the SARS-CoV virus is thought to have spread from animals to humans. This virus initially infected bats, then passed between species to civets and eventually infected humans in Guangdong province, southern China.

Scientists who research novel coronavirus from China believe that this virus also infects the same wild animals. Although genetic analysis has shown a link to snakes, the virus, known as 2019-CoV, is more likely to infect mammals such as mice and bats.

About 70 percent of all newly emerging infectious diseases originate from wild animals. The risk of spreading pathogens (germs) is even greater because the natural habitat of these animals is disturbed by human activities.

In addition, thousands of pathogens from different types of animals mix with each other in the wild animal market. This condition opens up opportunities for viruses, bacteria, and parasites to mutate into pathogens that are far more dangerous for which no vaccine has been found.

Pathogens that previously infected animals can pass to humans. Scientists suspect thatnovel coronavirusspreads in the same way, namely when humans eat the meat of wild animals. The virus that previously infected wild animals has moved to humans.

Indonesia also has a wild animal market

Source: BBC

Apart from China, several countries in Southeast Asia have not been separated from the risk of transmitting this virus because it has a wild animal market. One of the wild animal markets in Indonesia is in Manado City, North Sulawesi.

In this market, you can get bats, rats, snakes, and other animals that cannot be found in regular markets. The meat of various wild animals is sold at various price ranges.

Although it is not entirely certain that it comes from the wild animal market, areas that have this kind of market are more at risk of being infected novel coronavirusor even other, more dangerous pathogens.

To date, there are no reports that the wild animal market in Indonesia is a place to thrivenovel coronavirus. However, people are advised not to eat wild animal meat to reduce the risk of infection.