Pangolins are possible coronavirus hosts, scientists say [View all]
Pangolins are possible hosts of coronavirus, a study led by South China Agricultural University has found.
Experts believe the outbreak originated at wild animal markets in Wuhan, China. After analyzing more than 1,000 samples, scientists found that the genome sequence of the virus in pangolins was 99% identical to that from infected people. That means pangolins are the most likely intermediate host of coronavirus, Liu Yahong, president of the university, said, according to state media.
Pangolins, which look like scaly anteaters, are considered a delicacy in China and other countries, and pangolin scales are used in traditional medicine.
Pangolins are protected by international law, but they are still one of Asia's most trafficked mammals. More than one million have been poached in the past decade, putting the species' survival at risk, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In 2016, a ban was placed on the trade of pangolins, but sale of the animals appears to persist in parts of Asia and Africa.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/pangolins-are-possible-coronavirus-hosts-scientists-say/ar-BBZLmMs?li=BBnb7Kz
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