WHO releases guidelines for ban on Sale of Wild Animals in Traditional Markets
The World Health Organization called for traditional markets to put a stop to the auction of Wild Animals for consumption purposes across the globe.
WHO stated that while traditional markets play a very central role in providing food and livelihoods for large populations, banning the sale of live wild mammals could protect the health of market workers and shoppers alike.
WHO recalled that some of the earliest cases of the deadly Coronavirus had a link to a wholesale traditional food market in Wuhan in China, with many of the initial patients stall owners, market employees or regular visitors to the market.
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In a new interim guideline drawn up alongside the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the body stated that wild animals contribute to over 70 per cent of infectious diseases in the world.
“The guidance calls on countries to suspend the sale of captured live wild mammals in food markets as an emergency measure,”a WHO source said.
“Animals, particularly wild animals, are the source of more than 70 percent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans, many of which are caused by novel viruses. Wild mammals, in particular, pose a risk for the emergence of new diseases.
“Traditional markets, where live animals are held, slaughtered and dressed, pose a particular risk for pathogen transmission to workers and customers alike,” the guidance reads.
The World Health Organization also called on governments to clamp down sections of food markets were live wild mammals are sold, unless adequate risk assessments were put in place.
