China’s Wet Markets Resume Business despite Orders to Keep It Closed

Scientists believe that Wuhan’s wet market where both live and dead animals like bats and porcupines were sold for medicinal and food purposes was the cause of the pandemic. 

Now after the situation in China has far improved the Wet markets have resumed business again reportedly without wild animals and wild meat. The ‘Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market’ which is cited as the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan is slated for permanent closure. 

In contrast to Dry markets, in Wet markets, one can generally find fresh produce. Not all Wet markets sell live animals though. The term Wet market originated as water is poured over fresh produce such as vegetables and fish in order to keep it fresh and clean.

Wet markets are also found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and so on. Not all but only some Wet markets trade exotic wildlife. It is believed that the consumption of this meat is not very common especially in big cities.

On April 3, America’s infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci told Fox News that all Wet markets must shut down. “It boggles my mind how, when we have so many diseases that emanate out of that unusual human-animal interface that we just don’t shut it down.” He added, “I don’t know what else has to happen to get us to appreciate that.”

Experts believe that in order to combat the virus and to prevent another major outbreak, the illegal trade of exotic animals must be stopped. The World Wildlife Fund stated, “This health crisis must serve as a wake-up call for the need to end unsustainable use of endangered animals and their parts, as exotic pets, for food consumption, and for their perceived medicinal value.”

It remains to be seen how China would regulate the functioning of these markets. Would a refusal to shut down these wet markets affect trade ties with other countries? The United States Senator Lindsey Graham stated “trading relationship is going to change” if China refuses to do so.