Pet hamsters that were imported into Hong Kong carried the Delta variant of Coronavirus, sparking a local outbreak, a research study has claimed.

The research, posted January 28 as a preprint on The Lancet which is yet to be peer-reviewed, confirms the earlier fears that a pet shop was the source of COVID-19, which infected more than 50 people and led to the culling of over 2,000 hamsters.

The researchers from the Hong Kong University and government officials had conducted a genomic analysis of viral samples from the rodents to confirm hamster-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

A 23-year-old pet store worker was found to be infected with the Delta variant, which led health officials to determine the possibility of Covid transmission, as the city reportedly hadn’t reported Delta cases since October 2021.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-cull-thousands-of-hamsters-after-finding-traces-of-animal-to-human-covid-transmission-445851">Hong Kong to cull thousands of hamsters after finding traces of animal-to-human Covid transmission</a>

They detected SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in 15 of 28 Syrian hamsters, but in none of the dwarf hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas or mice, British science journal The Nature reported.

The researchers then analysed genomic sequences of samples collected from 12 hamsters and the first 3 infected people, including the pet-shop worker and a visitor to the shop.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-allows-hamster-pet-stores-to-resume-business-after-covid-19-cull-448959">Hong Kong allows hamster pet stores to resume business after COVID-19 cull</a>

All of the samples contained a variant of Delta that had not previously been detected in Hong Kong and probably originated from the same source, the study concluded.

“The viral genomes obtained from hamsters are phylogenetically related with some sequence heterogeneity and phylogenetic dating suggest infection in these hamsters occurred around 21 November 2021. Two separate transmission events to humans are documented, one leading to onward household spread,” the study said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pet hamsters that were imported into Hong Kong carried the Delta variant of Coronavirus, sparking a local outbreak, a research study has claimed. The research, posted January 28 as a preprint on The Lancet which is yet to be peer-reviewed, confirms the earlier fears that a pet shop was the source of COVID-19, which infected more than 50 people and led to the culling of over 2,000 hamsters.

Pet hamsters that were imported into Hong Kong carried the Delta variant of Coronavirus, sparking a local outbreak, a research study has claimed. The research, posted January 28 as a preprint on The Lancet which is yet to be peer-reviewed, confirms the earlier fears that a pet shop was the source of COVID-19, which infected more than 50 people and led to the culling of over 2,000 hamsters. The researchers from the Hong Kong University and government officials had conducted a genomic analysis of viral samples from the rodents to confirm hamster-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A 23-year-old pet store worker was found to be infected with the Delta variant, which led health officials to determine the possibility of Covid transmission, as the city reportedly hadn’t reported Delta cases since October 2021. Also read | Hong Kong to cull thousands of hamsters after finding traces of animal-to-human Covid transmission They detected SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in 15 of 28 Syrian hamsters, but in none of the dwarf hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas or mice, British science journal The Nature reported. The researchers then analysed genomic sequences of samples collected from 12 hamsters and the first 3 infected people, including the pet-shop worker and a visitor to the shop. Also read | Hong Kong allows hamster pet stores to resume business after COVID-19 cull All of the samples contained a variant of Delta that had not previously been detected in Hong Kong and probably originated from the same source, the study concluded. “The viral genomes obtained from hamsters are phylogenetically related with some sequence heterogeneity and phylogenetic dating suggest infection in these hamsters occurred around 21 November 2021. Two separate transmission events to humans are documented, one leading to onward household spread,” the study said. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong outbreak caused due to Covid transmission from hamsters, says study

Hong Kong has culled over 2,000 hamsters in an attempt to contain a Coronavirus outbreak. Despite a public outcry against the crackdown, authorities have urged people to continue to hand over their pets.

Despite public outcry against hamster crackdown Hong Kong urges people to surrender their pets

Speaking at a meeting with health officials, Carrie Lam said that there was only a slim chance the city-wide restrictions to be lifted on the 4th of February.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warns of worsening COVID outbreak

Hong Kong is culling 2000 hamsters after traces of the Wuhan Virus were found in 11 of them. Residents are being forced to surrender their pets; Pet shops are being raided. Hamsters testing negative are being put to sleep too. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Hong Kong to cull 2000 hamsters

Hong Kong is culling 2000 hamsters after traces of the COVID were found in 11 of them. Residents are being forced to surrender their pets; Pet shops are being raided. Hamsters testing negative are being put to sleep too.

Hong Kong is culling scores of hamsters after races of the COVID-19 were found in 11 of them

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