Mar 27, 2020
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/wildlife-markets-china-coronavirus-pandemic-1.5510045
''The continued existence of wildlife markets, which are considered potential breeding grounds for the spread of harmful viruses, means it's just a matter of time before the world is hit with another deadly pandemic, some scientists suggest.
"If we do not deal with this, there is nothing to say that we could not in eighteen months' time have another outbreak, and it could be worse," said Kerry Bowman, an assistant professor and bioethicist at the University of Toronto
's Dalla Lana School of Public Health.''
''But Bowman said shutting down such markets may prove extremely challenging, as t
hese cultural practices date back thousands of years and have become part of a multi-billion-dollar global industry.''
''Not just in China
Bowman emphasized that China is not the only culprit, nor is Asia "the only continent in the world that has this challenge."
"But it's particularly tenacious in the Far East, and extends into Vietnam, a lot of Southeast Asia, Indonesia," he said.''
''Focus should be on education
Karesh said ending these practices will take time, likely generations, and can only be done through education and helping countries improve their food systems.
He suggested that instead of banning all wildlife trade, countries should focus on those animals that are more likely to have viruses that can be transmitted to humans — like rodents, bats and non-human primates.
He said the international community must come to grips with the growing and unsustainable use of wildlife, or we will "continue to see pandemics."
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