FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Lao wildlife hit by 68 types of viruses

Lao wildlife hit by 68 types of viruses

A total of 68 types of viruses have been found in Lao wildlife, with trade and consumption of wild animals remaining widespread.

The results of the analytical survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which began conducting the Emerging Pandemic Threats Programme (PREDICT) in Laos in 2010, was revealed at a meeting held on Friday in Vientiane to review the work of the project.
The project received support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and has observed wildlife trade at 93 sites between 2010 and 2013.
During the project, the experts collected 10,609 samples from 2,593 species of animals in places where contact between humans and wildlife was frequent, in particular wildlife markets and villages with residents hunting wildlife.
Of the 68 viruses, 39 are coronaviruses, 25 astroviruses, three herpes viruses and one a simian foamy virus.
Coronaviruses and astroviruses were found in bats, while herpes viruses and the simian foamy virus had been found in primates.
Coronavirus was found in bats displayed for sale in Kasy town market, Vangvieng market and Meuangfeuang market in Vientiane province, as well as Khok village in Khammuan province.
Meanwhile, astrovirus was found in bats displayed in Vangvieng market and Vientiane’s Feuang district. The virus was also found in animals displayed at Phonsavanh agriculture market in Xieng Khuang province, Nhommalath district market in Khammuan province, as well as in Saravan province.
Astrovirus was also found in a giant rat at Khoksa-at market, Khammuan province. 
 
 
 
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