|
 The outbreak of Delta variant cases in humans linked to the shop
worker prompted tests on hundreds of animals, with 11 hamsters
showing up positive.
That has brought a pet rodent clampdown on Chinese-ruled Hong Kong,
which is following the mainland's zero-tolerance approach to
COVID-19 even as much of the world shifts to living with it.
The territory's Health Secretary Sophia Chan stressed at a news
conference that there was no evidence domestic animals can pass the
disease to humans, but authorities were anyway acting out of caution
to ban imports and sales of pet rodents.
"Pet owners should keep a good hygiene practice, including washing
hands after touching the animals, handling their food or other
items, and avoid kissing the animals," Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department director Leung Siu-fai Leung also told
reporters.
"If citizens are raising hamsters, they should keep them at home. Do
not bring them out."
HAMSTER HOTLINE
Hundreds of samples were collected from animals also including
rabbits and chinchillas, but only the hamsters have tested positive
so far.
[to top of second column] |
 "To be careful, we will take
preventive measures against any transmission
possibilities that we cannot rule out," said
Chan. After three months without
local transmission, Hong Kong has dozens of new cases in humans this
year, triggering fresh restrictions on flights and social life.
Thousands of people have been sent to a makeshift government
quarantine facility. Most of the new cases are of the
highly-contagious new Omicron variety, though the cluster traced to
a pet shop worker was Delta.
Leung said about 2,000 hamsters in 34 pet shops and storage
facilities would be put down "humanely". Anyone who purchased a
hamster after Dec. 22, 2021 should hand them over to authorities for
culling and not leave them on the streets, he added.
A hotline for COVID-19 enquiries related to hamsters is also being
set up.
(Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
