By Aristos Georgiou
Science and Health Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A second city in China has permanently banned the consumption of dog and cat meat in a move that has been welcomed by animal rights campaigners. The city of Zhuhai in China's southern Guangdong province follows the example of Shenzhen, which also announced a ban on eating cat and dog meat earlier this month.
In both cities, the bans form part of new, wider food safety measures proposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that also outlaws the human consumption of wild animals. These will come into effect on May 1.
Authorities in Zhuhai appear to have taken their lead from a revised draft "white list" released a few days ago by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which states that dogs and other companion animals are not "livestock," state-run China News reported. The white list outlines which animals are allowed for human consumption in China.
Read More
United States Trails Behind Mexico and India When It Comes to Animal Protection Laws, Report Finds6 min read
Chinese City Bans Eating Cats and Dogs After Coronavirus Linked to Wildlife Meat4 min read
Risk of Virus Spillover From Animals to Humans Increases Through Wildlife Exploitation and Domestication5 min read
According to animal rights group Humane Society International (HSI,) the COVID-19 pandemic has played an important role in the dog and cat meat bans, even though these animals have not been linked to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
"I think certainly the context for these bans is China's revision of its food safety regulations in the wake of COVID-19, that's the basis of the national government statement on the livestock list, and the reason why Shenzhen advanced its wildlife consumption ban," Wendy Higgins, a spokesperson for HSI, told Newsweek.
"But the reason stated by Shenzhen for adding in dogs and cats, even though they are not implicated in coronavirus at all, is specifically in recognition of their special status as companion animals.
"I think something else is also going on here and that is that these cities are using this opportunity to reflect the mood of the majority of the Chinese people, most of whom of course don't eat dogs and cats," she said.
...
HSI says that the latest proposals could mark the start of a domino effect of progressive legislation in which more Chinese cities ban the consumption of dog and cat meat, creating the right conditions for a national ban, although Higgins stresses that it is hard to speculate at this point.
"Proposals for national dog and cat meat bans have come and gone in the past, so this is perhaps a new approach that could lead to city by city bans. If we do reach a critical mass of cities, that could in itself encourage a national ban, but it's probably premature to predict that right now," she told Newsweek.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 15.
...
The trade sees an estimated 10 million dogs and 4 million cats—most of which are stolen pets and strays—killed in China. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no clear evidence suggesting that pets such as dogs and cats can spread the virus to humans. However, the dog meat trade is thought to be responsible for spreading rabies and increasing the risk of cholera.
"Zhuhai's ban on dog and cat meat eating is thrilling news for all those in China and around the world who have campaigned for so long to end this brutal trade," Higgins said in a statement. "Now it would seem that in the absence of a national ban, cities are taking matters into their own hands and reflecting the mood of the people.
"This isn't just good news for animal protection, it's also very good news for public health because the dog meat trade poses a significant human health risk, linked to the spread of trichinellosis, cholera and rabies. Rabies has been found in dogs traded for human consumption in China, Vietnam and Indonesia, and is easily spread as thousands of dogs are crammed on slaughter trucks and driven across provincial borders to markets and slaughterhouses," she said.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advice on Using Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19
- CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- A simple cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by those infected and by those who do not exhibit symptoms.
- Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items. Guides are offered by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
- Cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. A washing machine will suffice.
- Practice safe removal of face coverings by not touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands immediately after removing the covering.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines