COVID-19 & Human Health Risks Linked to Wildlife Trade Practices

An animal market in Indonesia. Credit: TRAFFICBy Steven BroadCAMBRIDGE, UK, May 7 2020 (IPS) At the time of writing, the COVID-19 pandemic is raging worldwide, causing human mortality and socio-economic disruption on a massive scale and it appears highly likely that profound impacts will continue for many years to come. Although the precise origins of the disease remain unproven, there are strong indications of a wild animal source and a direct link to wildlife trade in China. Even if evidence points elsewhere in future, the magnitude of the current outbreak places under an intense spotlight concerns raised by zoonotic disease experts over many decades about human health risks linked to wild animal trade in the increasingly inter-connected global economy. As calls for new health-focused restrictions on wildlife trade have increased in volume in response to the current pandemic, some countries have taken immediate action. Building on immediate emergency restrictions placed on wildlife markets in January 2020, China is implementing a long-term prohibition on trade and consumption of wild animals for food as a public health protection measure. Viet Nam is also considering new health-focused market restrictions and Gabon has introduced new species-specific trade restrictions. Looking ahead, there is a critical need to improve understanding of what sort of interventions might make the biggest difference in reducing risks of zoonotic disease emergence. However, it is also impo...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Civil Society Economy & Trade Featured Global Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies TerraViva United Nations Source Type: news