COVID-19 / WHO calls for a ban on the sale of wildlife in markets

The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for stricter safety and hygiene standards when reopening wet markets, or as it is otherwise called, livelihood markets.

The organization says governments should stop trading wildlife for consumption. The start of pandemics was linked to a market in Wuhan, where wildlife was sold.


These markets are common in Asia, Africa and several other countries, selling fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry, fresh meat, live animals and sometimes wildlife. The WHO is working with UN bodies to develop guidelines for the safe operation of wet markets, which it says are an important source of affordable food and livelihood for millions of people around the world.

During a conference held three days ago, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that when these markets are allowed to reopen, they must comply with strict food safety and hygiene standards. "Governments must strictly enforce restrictions on the sale of wildlife for food."

He added: “Because about 70% of all new viruses come from animals, we also work with the World Organization for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to understand and prevent pathogens from passing from animals to humans ”.