The WHO and its partners have urged countries to halt the sales of live wild mammals in food markets, also called “wet markets”, in order to prevent new deadly diseases, such as COVID-19.

The interim guidance was published on Tuesday which aims to decrease public health risks associated with these transactions considering that most emerging infectious diseases have their origins in wildlife. The temporary guidelines, issued by WHO, with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), stated that animals, in particular wild animals, account for over 70% of all emerging infectious diseases in humans, several of which are caused by novel viruses. Wild mammals sold in markets pose risk since it cannot be checked if they carry dangerous viruses… (UN, April 13, 2021)