Here we go again – World, get prepared for another lockdown.  The Utterly Cruel Chinese Are At It Yet Again. 

Researchers scoured for viruses in the lungs, intestines and other tissues of 461 individual fur animals that were found dead due to disease across China. They identified 125 virus species, including 36 that were novel and 39 at potentially-high risk of crossing the species barrier, including spilling over to infect humans. 

Raccoon dogs and mink, valued for their soft pelts, carried the highest number of potentially dangerous viruses, according to the research, published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

China dominates the trade, accounting for over 80% of global fur production, with pelts from around 27 million animals turned into high-end garments in 2021.

Notably, 19 potentially high-risk viruses were detected in the northeastern province of Shandong, which contains many fur animal farms. The findings revealed potential virus transmission between farmed animals and wild animals, and from humans to farmed animals, indicating that fur farming represents an important transmission hub for viruses that risk causing disease in people.

Lots More Reading About This:

Dozens of new viruses are emerging from Chinese fur farms (msn.com)

China Fur Farms Harbor Deadly Viruses: Study Uncovers MERS-Related Virus and High-Risk Influenza Strains, Sparking Pandemic Fears (ibtimes.sg)

 Pandemic Fears as Dozens of ‘High Risk’ Viruses Found in China’s Fur Farms (msn.com)

Virus Risk: 125 Found in China’s Fur Farms, 39 Pose High Threat to Humans | NewsTrack English 1 (newstracklive.com)

Fears fresh pandemic outbreak could spark in China’s fur farms (msn.com)

Potential Outbreak-Causing Viruses Found in China’s Fur Animals – BNN Bloomberg

Viruses detected in China’s fur farm animals, including seven types of coronaviruses (alarabiya.net)

Regards Mark