On Thursday, scientists unveiled new knowledge on the attainable origins of the Covid-19 pandemic — and put an odd, squat creature squarely within the highlight.
Meet the raccoon canine; it earns its identify from its black facial markings, which give the animal a masked look and a more-than-passing resemblance to these notorious raiders of city trash cans.
The animals have been at the very least often bought on the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, the place many virologists suspect that the Covid-19 pandemic might have began.
Scientists had beforehand introduced that swabs from the market had examined constructive for the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. The brand new knowledge revealed that a few of these similar swabs additionally contained substantial genetic materials from raccoon canine.
The findings didn’t show that raccoon canine have been contaminated with the virus or that that they had handed it on to people. However they’re per the likelihood that wild animals on the market might have set off the Covid-19 pandemic.
Extra on the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Covid Origins: The W.H.O. rebuked China for withholding analysis which will hyperlink the origin of Covid to wild animals, asking why the info was faraway from a scientific database. Earlier than the info went lacking, a global staff of consultants who started analyzing it discovered that it supported the thought that the pandemic might have begun with illegally bought raccoon canine at a Wuhan market.
- Maternal Mortality: Authorities knowledge reveals that loss of life of pregnant girls in 2021 elevated by 40% in contrast with 2020 and by 60% in contrast with 2019. Covid was a contributing issue within the rise, a separate report suggests.
- Paxlovid: A panel of skilled advisers to the F.D.A. endorsed Paxlovid as a remedy for adults with Covid who’re at excessive danger for extreme sickness. The transfer is more likely to result in full approval of the drug, which has been out there below emergency use authorization.
Right here’s what to know concerning the animal within the information.
What are raccoon canine?
Regardless of their identify, raccoon canine aren’t shut family of raccoons. They’re members of the canid household, a gaggle that additionally consists of home canine, and are most carefully associated to foxes. Not like different canids, they might hibernate in winter.
Raccoon canine are omnivores, eating on meals sources like rodents and berries. Though they seem svelte in the summertime, they pack on the kilos for winter, when their fur additionally turns into thicker. They’re monogamous, usually residing in pairs.
The place do they stay?
Raccoon canine are native to East Asia, together with elements of China, Korea and Japan, the place they’re often called tanuki.
They’ve additionally grow to be widespread in elements of Europe, the place they’re thought of an invasive species. They’re generally hunted as pests.
Why are they farmed and bought?
Raccoon canine have lengthy been farmed for his or her fur. China is a number one producer of raccoon canine pelts; in 2014, the nation produced greater than 14 million pelts, 100 occasions as many as Europe, in keeping with one report.
They’re additionally bought for his or her meat in stay animal markets. They have been bought on the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market at the very least as late as November 2019, researchers have reported.
Are they the supply of the virus that causes Covid-19?
Not essentially. Laboratory experiments have proven that raccoon canine are vulnerable to, and able to transmitting, the novel coronavirus. However that doesn’t imply that they’re the pure reservoir for the virus. Even when raccoon canine on the market have been contaminated, they could have been an intermediate host, choosing up the virus from bats or one other species.
Raccoon canine and bats have been each frequent on and round a number of the farms that equipped the market, scientists have famous.
An analogous state of affairs might have unfolded twenty years in the past, after the emergence of SARS, which can be brought on by a coronavirus. In 2003, scientists discovered proof of contaminated palm civets and raccoon canine at a stay animal market in Shenzen, China. However subsequent analysis finally pointed to bats because the pure reservoir for the virus that causes SARS; raccoon canine seemed to be intermediate hosts.
Can I pet a raccoon canine if I see one?
It’s most likely not a good suggestion, as tempting because it may be. Covid-19 apart, the animals are recognized to be vectors for different illnesses, together with rabies. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends towards conserving raccoon canine as pets.
