‘We have yet to find out whether human beings transmitted the virus to salmon, or salmon contracted the virus first’

Imported salmon has been implicated in the latest outbreak of COVID cases in the Chinese capital.

Experts have also warned the public from consuming the fish while it has been taken off the shelves in supermarkets and grocery delivery platforms across major Chinese cities.

The move follows after more than 100 new cases of infections were reported in the city and investigations traced the virus to a chopping board used by a salmon seller at the Xinfadi wholefood market.

Infection source

While experts suggest the virus can ‘survive on frozen surfaces for two to three months reports say it is ‘unclear’ whether the virus can be transmitted via frozen and thawed food.

“Our seafood products are typically stored and transported in cold containers; thus it is possible for the virus to be preserved for a long time and increase the likelihood of infecting people,” said Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“[But] we cannot conclude that salmon is the source of infection just because a novel coronavirus was detected on a chopping board of a seller.”

According to Chinese nationalist tabloid, The Global Times, the virus could’ve also spread from infected people entering the market.

During an interview with state media, Zeng Guang, a senior expert with the National Health Commission said: “We have yet to find out whether human beings transmitted the virus to salmon, or salmon contracted the virus first.”

The resurgence of cases in China has caused a huge blow to the $700 million market for imported salmon clearly impacting  exporters like Denmark, Norway and Australia although a recent study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, showed that there was no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 infected aquatic food animals and the risk  was “negligible” with “proper food handling and sanitation.” 

The team however cautioned that contaminated food surfaces could become potential carriers of the virus when handled by infected people.

• Read: Disease breeding, filthy wet markets continue to sell reptiles, bats, and birds despite coronavirus

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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