COVID-19 spread across more than 100 countries, impacting humanity socially, economically, resulting in sickness, and death.
China is the epicentre of this deadly virus outbreak.
THE FIRST CASE REPORTED IN NOVEMBER, 2019 IN CHINA
The first case of COVID-19 infection was reported in November 2019 as per the South China Post. A 55-year old patient from Hubei province in China was the first person to get infected.
Also read: Pfizer and BioNTech have announced that the first participant was administered with the vaccine in the Phase ½ trial.
THE WET MARKET IN CHINA IS THE CULPRIT
Scientists suspect that coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, originated in a bat, transferred to pangolin, and then to humans. The Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan is expected to the starting point of this infection. 66% of the first infected cases were reported to have contact with this market directly.
The SARS outbreak was also originated in these wet markets of China.
Also read: Facts about HCQ for treating COVID-19
CHINA TRIED TO SUPPRESS THE DEADLY OUTBREAK INSTEAD OF ACTING
When the first cases of the new virus were reported, Chinese authorities failed to warn the public. Instead, they have detained the whistle-blower Dr Li Wenliang. Dr Wenliang was an ophthalmologist in the Wuhan city. In the early days, he tried to alert other doctors on the new deadly virus. But, four days later, security forces warned him for “making false comments.” Unfortunately, he got infected with the virus, while operating a patient who had the infection.
He died because of the infection resulting in anger and grief across the country.
CHINA HASN’T DONE ENOUGH AFTER SARS OUTBREAK
Nearly two decades backs, China was the epicentre for the SARS outbreak. SARS killed more than 800 people. The viral infection was originated in the wet markets in China, which was expected to spread through civet cats.
After the SARS outbreak, China banned civets, mongoose-type creatures. However, these dishes are still available in the market.
SITUATION OF WET MARKETS IN CHINA
Wet markets are the places that keep close contact between the humans and the animals, both alive and dead. In the Chinese wet markets, people trade dogs, chickens, pigs, snakes, civets, bats, and more.
Chinese wet markets are the epicentres for the spread of many diseases, including deadly SARS and COVID-19. However, in China, wet markets have deep roots in food habits, medicine, ornaments, and pets.
Several species mongoose-type creatures, snakes, raccoon dogs, porcupines, and deer are available in the wet markets of China. Hundreds of wet markets are present across the mainland of China.
BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY RESULTED IN MADE IN CHINA VIRUSES
The wildlife trade is worth more than $73 billion in China, employing more than one million people across China, as per the CNN report.
The animals are part of traditional medicine, and China is pushing traditional medicine under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. Currently, the use of wild animals in China for medicine is not illegal.
TIME TO RESPECT MOTHER EARTH
With the new viruses impacting humankind, it is time to have strong regulations on wildlife and to respect mother earth.
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