Hong Kong to cull 2,000 animals as some test COVID-positive

HONG KONG – Hong Kong authorities mentioned Tuesday that they are going to cull some 2,000 small animals, together with hamsters after a number of of the rodents examined optimistic for the virus at a pet retailer the place an contaminated worker was working.

Town can even cease the sale and import of small mammals together with hamsters, based on an official from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Division. The transfer got here after the pet store worker examined optimistic for the delta variant on Monday. A number of hamsters imported from the Netherlands on the similar retailer examined optimistic for the coronavirus as nicely.

Though authorities acknowledged that there’s “no proof” that pets can transmit the coronavirus to people, as a precautionary measure, prospects who had bought hamsters from the affected retailer after Jan. 7 shall be traced and be topic to obligatory quarantine.

They have to additionally hand over their hamsters to authorities to be put down.

Advert

Authorities mentioned that every one pet shops promoting hamsters in Hong Kong should stop operations and that round 2,000 small mammals, together with hamsters and chinchillas, shall be culled in a humane method.

Clients who purchased hamsters in Hong Kong from Dec. 22 can even be topic to obligatory testing and are urged not to enter the group till their assessments have returned unfavourable. If their hamsters take a look at optimistic, they are going to be topic to quarantine.

For now, authorities mentioned they’d not rule out transmission between human and animals.

Individually, Hong Kong police have arrested two former flight attendants for allegedly leaving their properties when they need to have been in isolation for doable coronavirus infections, which have been later confirmed.

The 2 arrived from the U.S. on Dec. 24 and 25. Whereas in medical surveillance, that they had “performed pointless actions,” based on a authorities assertion posted late Monday.

Advert

Whereas the assertion didn’t identify their employer, the arrests got here after flagship provider Cathay Pacific mentioned it had fired two crew members for breaching coronavirus protocols. Each later examined optimistic for the omicron variant.

Cathay beforehand mentioned the actions of the crew who had damaged coronavirus protocols was “extraordinarily disappointing” and apologized for the disruption. The corporate needed to in the reduction of on flights — each passenger and cargo — in January amid tightened virus curbs.

The duo have been launched on bail and can have their case heard in court docket on Feb. 9. If convicted of violating anti-epidemic laws, they may withstand 6 months imprisonment and a fantastic of as much as 5,000 Hong Kong {dollars} ($642).

Hong Kong has been grappling with an area omicron outbreak traced to a number of Cathay Pacific crew members who had dined at bars and eating places throughout the town earlier than later testing optimistic for the omicron variant.

Advert

Beforehand in Hong Kong, sure air and sea crew members might isolate at dwelling underneath sure quarantine exemptions. Laws tightened Dec. 31 require crew members to isolate in a delegated quarantine lodge for a few week to safeguard public well being.