Researchers from South China Agriculture University announced today that pangolins could potentially be linked to the deadly Coronavirus. They identified a virus in pangolins that was 99% identical to the Coronavirus in infected people, suggesting pangolins to be an intermediate host between bats and humans. While pangolins are known to host strains of Coronavirus, the research behind the announcement has not yet been published, making it difficult to comment.
Nonetheless, ending the illegal trade in pangolins could help to mitigate potential major health risks associated with consuming wildlife.
“Coronavirus is yet another example of the potentially disastrous consequence of humans consuming wild animals,” says Paul Thomson, co-founder of Save Pangolins.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Photo of Sunda pangolin by Michael Pitts
