Despite the links between coronavirus and wild animal consumption, a hospital in Wuhan has been serving turtle meat to its patients.

Coronavirus was thought to be passed to humans through wild animals at an animal market which sold a huge selection of wild animals – including pangolins, bats, koalas and wolf cubs. 

The virus has now spread to more than 70,000 people and the death count is nearing 2,000.

But hospitals have continued to give patients meat from wild and exotic animals.  

In one video shared by an independent Chinese news outlet, a quaratined patient said: “Today’s meal includes softshell turtle meat.”

Turtle meat is highly sought after in traditional Chinese medicine and is believed to be highly nutritious and helpful to people recovering from illness. 

The turtles are native to China and can be both found in the wild and at breeding farms. 

The video shared by Ren Jian Zhi Bei gives an insight into hospitals set up to battle the virus. Patients are given basic provisions and kept in isolation

The number of new daily infections in China is around 2,000 and the disease has spread to at least 28 countries, but 99% of cases are in China.

Emergency

The World Health Organisation has declared a global health emergency as healthcare organisations around the world fight to prevent coronavirus from spreading. 

Animal rights groups have noted that many viral outbreaks such as coronavirus originated in animals.

A new research paper has also revealed concern among scientists about the high level of hepatitis E in slaughterhouse pork across the US.

PETA has urged people around the world to go vegan to reduce the risk of transmitting dangerous diseases to humans. 

• Read: WHO declares coronavirus outbreak a ‘global public health emergency’

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Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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