The board of the Chinese city of Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, bans the eating of dogs and cats in response to the corona virus. The ban is part of a broader package of measures to curb wildlife trade in China.
Scientists suspect that the coronavirus COVID-19 has passed from animals to humans. The first infections occurred in people who had been in a food market in the city of Wuhan, where bats, snakes, civets and other animals were sold.
Chinese President Xi Jinping already banned the sale and consumption of wildlife in his country in late February, but Shenzhen is the first city in China to extend that ban to the consumption of dogs and cats.
“Dogs and cats as pets have a much closer relationship with humans than other animals. The consumption of dogs and cats is also prohibited in developed countries and in Hong Kong and Taiwan,” said Shenzhen City Council. Dogs in particular are eaten in China and other parts of Asia.
According to local authorities, the consumer is satisfied with poultry, livestock, fish and seafood and there is no evidence that wild animals are more nutritious. The ban on eating dogs and cats in the city will come into effect on May 1.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in us live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads from person to person via sneezing and cough drops. The chance of becoming infected through surfaces such as door handles is small. This chance decreases if you wash your hands often.
- You can considerably reduce the chance of spreading by keeping at least 1.5 meters away from others.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Almost all deaths involve the elderly or other vulnerable persons, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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