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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Pandemic 2.0 alert: Wild animal markets with bats, raccoon dogs and macaques could spark the next global outbreak
Wild animal markets with bats, raccoon dogs and macaques could spark the next global outbreak Live-animal markets, like the one in Jatinegara, Jakarta, may be breeding grounds for future pandemics. In these crowded spaces, animals such as bats, raccoon dogs, macaques, and songbirds are sold for food or pets. Stacked in cages up to three meters high, animals from across Indonesia and beyond are kept in close quarters, creating ideal conditions for viruses to spread and mutate. The air is thick with heat, humidity, and the overpowering mix of animal odors, urine, and feces. These unsanitary conditions allow viruses to jump between species — and potentially, to humans — sparking dangerous outbreaks. Rescued Pangolin in Vietnam sparks new COVID fears over deadly virus links According to reports, a Sunda pangolin was rescued near the Chinese border in early 2023 and is now being looked after by Save Vietnam's Wildlife, a nonprofit organization that runs a rescue center in the park. At a veterinary clinic in Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam, Tran Nam Trieu gently placed the pangolin (Manis javanica) on the examination table. The pangolin was tightly curled in a ball, breathing slowly, its scaly body rising and falling. When Trieu carefully unrolled it, he revealed its soft pink belly and a missing hind leg — it had to be removed after the animal got caught in a trap. Pangolins have become a symbol of the illegal wildlife trade, especially due to high demand for their meat and scales in China. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Many people believe these parts can cure various illnesses, although there's no scientific evidence to support this. Scientists studying pangolins seized from the illegal trade in China have found several types of coronaviruses in them. Some are very similar — about 92% — to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. While these viruses are not similar enough to be the original source, they can still cause illness in pangolins and may have the potential to infect humans. Some of the viruses in these pangolins are also related to those that cause MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). These viruses contain a special protein feature called a furin cleavage site, which helps them spread more easily in the lungs. SARS-CoV-2 has this same feature, which has led to debate about whether the virus was created in a lab or evolved naturally. However, many scientists believe a natural origin is more likely. Scientists warn: Animal markets could spark the next outbreak The world is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Nature, many researchers believe the outbreak likely started — or was at least amplified — at a market selling live animals in Wuhan, China. Yet wildlife trade continues in many parts of the world. Public health experts have warned about the risks of diseases jumping from animals to humans in markets like Jatinegara, which are part of a global industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars. In 2020, China banned the farming and trading of most wildlife species for food, but these activities have largely gone underground. James Wood, a veterinary epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, says markets like Jatinegara remain 'the best way of transmitting diseases.' Scientists are increasingly focusing on human–wildlife contact points — such as markets and trade routes — to better understand zoonotic diseases, which are infections that spread from animals to humans. Several research groups are working to uncover how pathogens cross species barriers, why some of these events lead to outbreaks, and what interventions might reduce the risks. However, this kind of work is costly, sometimes dangerous, and requires long-term support, which is often hard to secure. Wood acknowledges there is a 'small possibility' that research-related activities could have triggered the pandemic. Tracking wildlife trade and disease risk Some scientists are studying how human behavior contributes to the spread of diseases from animals to people. In 2017, Jusuf Kalengkongan, a bat expert in Indonesia, lived with wildlife hunters in Southeast Sulawesi. He found that bat hunting is risky — hunters often get sick from bites or scratches but rarely go to hospitals. Instead, they rely on herbs or over-the-counter medicines. Locals even recalled a mysterious outbreak years ago that quickly killed many people. In Vietnam, Hung Nguyen-Viet from the International Livestock Research Institute is studying how wild animals are traded. He explains that it's difficult research because traders fear punishment. When animals get sick, some people eat them or sell them secretly at distant markets, instead of reporting them. Many fear losing their income. Medical anthropologist Hannah Brown warns that ignoring these fears can backfire. During the 2014–16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, banning wild meat created mistrust. Even today, that mistrust lingers. In Indonesia, some researchers have earned the trust of animal traders. At the Langowan market, zoologist Tiltje Ransaleleh speaks with vendors and collects samples from live bats. Her team discovered that festival periods are the most dangerous — bat sales can increase fivefold, with over 10,000 sold in a single day. This level of trading increases the risk of disease spreading. Stanford scientist Stephen Luby emphasizes that understanding trade routes and human behavior is critical for preventing future outbreaks. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- New Straits Times
100kg pangolin meat seized in Pitas yesterday likely for local consumption
KOTA KINABALU: The 100kg kilogrammes of pangolin meat seized in Pitas yesterday is unlikely to have been intended for export, said Sabah Wildlife director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kudat seized the meat from a boat, with the pangolins found without their scales. "The way it was packed, it wasn't meant for export. If it were for export, the pangolin meat would have been wrapped in plastic and other proper packaging. "What we saw (in the media report), they were in polystyrene, possibly for local consumption in nearby areas," he said. Soffian said it was difficult to determine if the meat was for demand from neighbouring countries, as the seizures were made in Sabah waters. However, he said the scales, which had been completely removed, were most likely already smuggled out. He was speaking to reporters after the World Wildlife Day appreciation night held at a hotel here. Earlier, the MMEA had issued a statement saying they had foiled a smuggling attempt after discovering a boat off Tanjung Layang-Layang in Pitas waters, where pangolin meat and 700kg of frozen and dried giant clams were found. Soffian said a pangolin typically weighs anywhere between 5kg and 11kg and the species can be found throughout Sabah. In Sabah, the pangolin (Manis javanica) is classified as a totally protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. It is also listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As for the case, he said it was very difficult for the department to investigate, as there were seizures but no arrests, and it remains unclear whether the boat was registered. Pangolin poaching and illegal trade can result in a fine of up to RM250,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both. In 2019, Sabah recorded its largest pangolin bust involving the seizure of 30 tonnes of pangolins and pangolin products.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Smuggling attempt of pangolins, giant clams foiled
Pictures courtesy of Sabah MMEA KUDAT: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has foiled a smuggling attempt of pangolins and giant clams to a neighbouring country. The agency seized five boxes containing frozen pangolins with an estimated weight of 100kg, 20 boxes containing frozen giant clams weighing about 500kg, as well as eight sacks of dried giant clams weighing more than 200kg. Kudat Maritime zone director, maritime commander Hasbullah Omar, said a tip-off indicated suspicious activity off Malawali Strait. "Acting on the tip-off, Patrol Boat KILAT 48 was dispatched to the location and detected an unlit boat about 1.8 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Layang-layang, Pitas. "Upon inspection, there were no individuals on the boat, but further search revealed shocking items," he said in a statement, adding the raid was around 2am yesterday. The boat and its valuable cargo, estimated to be worth over RM100,000, were seized and brought to the Kudat Marina Jetty for further investigation. The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and the Fisheries Act 1985 for attempting to smuggle endangered animal species and handling marine products without valid authorisation. It is understood that all seized items were believed to be intended for a neighboring country with a high demand for exotic food and prohibited wildlife products. In Sabah, the pangolin (Manis javanica) is a "totally protected" species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. It is also listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2019, Sabah recorded the largest pangolin bust involving the seizure of 30 tonnes of pangolins and pangolin products. It is learnt that this case has yet to have any legal action. Pangolin poaching and illegal trade can lead to a fine of up to RM250,000 and a jail term of up to five years, or both. Giant clams are ecologically important for coral reef ecosystems, playing roles as reef builders, habitat providers, and water filterers.
