Studies confirm SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus in Vietnam’s trade-confiscated pangolins

Journal new research Forefront of public health The pangolin, led by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) scientists, has been confiscated from illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam and has confirmed hosting a SARS-CoV-2 associated coronavirus. .. Previously, only pangolins confiscated in China were positive for SARS-CoV-2 associated coronavirus.

The authors of the study found that the findings Wild animals Trading may facilitate the transmission and amplification of coronaviruses and other viruses along the trading chain, with further evidence that pandemic and epidemic prevention should also focus on pathogen spillover from wildlife. Offers.

In this study, SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus circulating in Sunda pangolin was detected (Manis Javanica) Forfeited Illegal wildlife trade Vietnam. As a result of the analysis, the coronaviruses identified in these pangolins are closely related to the coronavirus previously detected in the pangolins confiscated from illegal wildlife trade in Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. It became clear that it was related to.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga of WCS’s Vietnam program, the lead author of this study, said: The SARS-CoV family of coronaviruses contained in Vietnam’s trafficked pangolin. Eliminating the trade in pangolin and other wild mammals and birds can eliminate high-risk pathways for viral spillover and the emergence of pathogens. “

Since 2017, all eight pangolin species have been listed in CITES Appendix I and all international transactions for commercial purposes have been banned.All four Asian pangolin species, including Sunda and Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is considered endangered or endangered throughout the geographic area.

The authors of the study tested specimens from a total of 246 pangolins from wildlife confiscation events that occurred in Vietnam from 2016 to 2018. Specimens collected from seven individual pangolins in 2018 were positive for SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus.

In addition to testing the pangolins of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses, the authors reviewed media reports of pangolin trafficking cases involving Vietnam between 2016 and 2020. Non-human primates, reptiles, birds. These observations show that the trade in live wildlife, which moves wildlife from natural habitats to human-dominated landscapes and the center of metropolitan areas, causes epidemics from pathogens that emerge in human populations. It supports long-standing concerns that it poses an increased risk.

These findings provide provisional guidance for April 2021 on “Reducing Public Health Risks Related to the Sale of Live Mammalian Wildlife in the Traditional Food Market” issued by WHO, United Nations Environment Agency. We support current recommendations on live wildlife trading and market regulation, including. The Program (UNEP) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) have told the government that “the food market will stop trading live-captured wild animals of mammalian species for food or breeding purposes and sell live catches. Asked to close some of them. Wild animals Use of mammalian species as an emergency measure unless demonstrable and effective regulation and appropriate risk assessment are in place. “

The authors also address the much longer wildlife supply chain, legal and illegally procured wildlife trade from its sources, as the current international recommendations are too focused on the open market. Indicates that there is no such thing. The authors show that wildlife trading policy reforms are needed to reduce the risk of future pandemics, and mitigation measures do not detect wildlife trading spillover interfaces in current sample screening practices and procedures. It states that it is necessary to consider that it contains a new virus.

Among countries, China aims to crack down on illegal wildlife trade in a multi-sectoral and sustainable manner and to phase out the agriculture / procurement, trade and consumption of terrestrial wildlife as food. We have started the revision of the law. Vietnam banned the import of wildlife in January 2020 as an immediate response to the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in China, and regarding illegal wildlife trade stipulated by the Prime Minister of Vietnam in July 2020. He called for strengthening the enforcement of existing legislation. Minister’s Directive No. 29 on “Urgent Solutions for Wildlife Management”. Over the last two years, the Vietnamese government has revised several legislation dealing with animal health. public healthWildlife management aimed at reducing the risks and impacts of food safety, and future pandemics. These include Decree 14 on the regulation of penalties for administrative crimes, including livestock, and Decree 07 issued in early 2022, which tightened sanctions on wildlife violations. trade Law.