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Hong Kong has warned pet house owners to not kiss their animals after 11 hamsters returned constructive Covid-19 exams. An outbreak within the Chinese language-ruled territory has been traced to a pet store.
On Tuesday, the Chinese language-ruled island of Hong Kong ordered the culling of two,000 hamsters after a widespread testing of the rodents revealed 11 constructive exams.
Well being Secretary Sophia Chan advised a information convention that authorities have been performing out of warning, as there isn’t any proof that home animals can infect people. The measures echo the zero-tolerance method adopted on the mainland.
“Pet house owners ought to hold hygiene observe, together with washing fingers after touching the animals, dealing with their meals or different gadgets, and keep away from kissing the animals,” Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Division director Leung Siu-fai additionally advised reporters.
Leung confirmed that some 2,000 hamsters can be “humanely” put down at 34 pet retailers and storage amenities across the metropolis. Anybody who bought a hamster after December 22 would want handy it over to the authorities. These animals shouldn’t be left on the streets, he added.
The transfer comes after a current cluster of Covid-19 circumstances was traced again to a pet store within the metropolis’s bustling Causeway Bay district. The model, Little Boss, mentioned it might shut different branches too whereas they’re disinfected.
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Males might be seen getting into one of many shops carrying protecting gear. Police and agriculture bureau vehicles have been parked outdoors.
Different animals, together with rabbits, have been examined, however solely hamsters have given constructive outcomes.
Previously two years, a lot of animals together with cats and canine have examined constructive for Covid-19.
Outbreaks in mink populations have led to widespread culls. Hamsters are understood to be significantly vulnerable and may carry heavy quantities of the virus.
Hong Kong has lately seen a small spike in circumstances after months with none native transmission.
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