Coronavirus: WHO calls for halt to sale of live wild mammals in food markets to limit disease risk | South China Morning Post

The World Health Organization on Tuesday called on countries to impose emergency regulations to stop the sale of live wild mammals in food markets to limit the risk of new diseases emerging. "Traditional markets, where live animals are held, slaughtered and dressed, pose a particular risk for pathogen transmission to workers and customers alike," the global health body said, while recognising their central role in providing food and livelihoods for large populations around the world. The WHO said more than 70 per cent of emerging infectious diseases in humans originated in animals, particularly wild animals. "To mitigate this risk, an…