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A latest Covid-19 cluster of human circumstances was traced again to a pet store employee, which prompted officers to hold out exams on lots of of animals within the area – solely 11 examined optimistic as many are outraged as the choice
Picture: REUTERS)
Hong Kong authorities are going to cull 2,000 hamsters and have advised individuals to not kiss their pets after a Covid-19 outbreak.
Officers examined lots of of rodents and ordered the mass cull on Tuesday after 11 had been discovered to have examined optimistic for the virus.
A latest Covid cluster of human circumstances was traced again to a pet store employee, which prompted officers to hold out exams on lots of of animals within the area.
Mainland China ‘s zero-tolerance coverage is what led to the choice to cull the rodents, leaving animal lovers outraged.
Authorities have ordered the hamsters to be put down “humanely” in addition to placing a cease to imports and gross sales.
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Picture:
REUTERS)
A number of pet outlets have been shut and disinfected as males in protecting gear had been seen cleansing the pet store that’s within the coronary heart of the Causeway Bay district.
Well being Secretary Sophia Chan advised a information convention authorities had been performing out of warning regardless that there was no proof home animals can infect people.
In the meantime, the director for Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Division has advised individuals to keep away from kissing their pets and to scrub their palms after touching them.
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Picture:
REUTERS)
Leung Siu-fai advised reporters: “Pet homeowners ought to maintain an excellent hygiene observe, together with washing palms after touching the animals, dealing with their meals or different gadgets, and keep away from kissing the animals.”
Leung stated the hamsters needed to be put down as a result of it will be inconceivable to quarantine and observe every one.
He additionally stated that anybody who purchased hamsters after December ought to hand them over to be culled and never depart them on the streets.
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Picture:
REUTERS)
A hotline for enquiries is being arrange, whereas a few of the 150 prospects of the pet store had been going into quarantine, officers stated.
The animals had been stated to have been imported from the Netherlands, native broadcaster RTHK stated.
Authorities in Hong Kong have additionally been finishing up Covid exams on rabbits and chinchillas, however solely hamsters have examined optimistic to this point.
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AFP through Getty Pictures)
The native Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which runs veterinary clinics, stated it was “shocked” on the determination.
In an announcement, the organisation stated: “The SPCA is shocked and anxious over the latest authorities announcement on the dealing with of over 2,000 small animals, which didn’t take animal welfare and the human-animal bond into consideration.”
Analysis head Jan Schmidt-Burbach stated: ” Culling animals ought to at all times be a final resort and we encourage governments to discover different choices, akin to quarantine, first.”
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Picture:
REUTERS)
All through the pandemic, there have been reported Covid-19 circumstances in canines and cats, however scientists say there isn’t any proof to say animals play a serious position in human contagion.
Nikolaus Osterrieder, dean of the Jockey Membership Faculty of Veterinary Drugs and Life Sciences on the Metropolis College of Hong Kong stated: “It’s clearly a drastic measure however one that may be a consequence of zero Covid (guidelines).
“Hamsters are very prone to SARS-CoV-2 and may produce massive quantities of virus.”
Hong Kong has triggered recent restrictions after dozens of latest Covid circumstances.
Final yr, three pet cats that examined optimistic for Covid had been put down within the Chinese language metropolis of Harbin, sparking outrage on social media.
In 2020, Denmark culled hundreds of thousands of mink over a Covid-19 mutation.
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