Hamster. Archival photoMOSCOW, Jan 19—RIA Novosti.There is no exact data that it was hamsters in Hong Kong that became the source of coronavirus infection for pet store employees, so you should not panic yet, Margarita Provotorova, a leading expert at the CMD Center for Molecular Diagnostics of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, told RIA Novosti. Earlier, the South China Morning Post reported that the authorities Hong Kong's health authorities are investigating likely evidence of possible hamster-to-human transmission of coronavirus, authorities intend to euthanize about 2,000 of these rodents. It is noted that at least 11 cases of infection of hamsters with coronavirus were detected in Hong Kong, after which a confirmed and presumptive case of infection of people associated with a local pet store was recorded.
"Animal testing was carried out as part of an epidemiological study to find the route of transmission of the infection found in the store worker. Later, the infection was confirmed in two more employees who cared for the rodents. But there is no definitive evidence that these animals are the main and only source of infection. Therefore, although all this sounds alarming, you should not panic", said Provotorova.
She noted that during the pandemic, animals have been exterminated more than once — there were stories of veterinarians who were brought dogs to be euthanized due to fear of contracting coronavirus from pets, and reports of mass extermination of minks in Denmark. At the same time, it should be remembered that now the main route of infection with coronavirus is from person to person by airborne droplets, so it is important to wear masks, maintain social distance and avoid visiting public places with a large crowd of people, Provotorova emphasized.