The Hong Kong government has ordered the hamsters to be disposed of, alleging that the imported hamsters are suspected of being the source of the new coronavirus. The pet shop selling hamsters was closed and more than 100 people who visited the pet shop were sent to the quarantine facility.
It turned out that about 10 hamsters imported from the Netherlands and sold at the pet shop “Little Boss” in Hong Kong were infected with the Delta strain of the new Corona. Delta strains had not been found in Hong Kong for several months before the store’s employees tested positive for Delta strains.
There are a total of 34 pet stores selling hamsters in Hong Kong, but all have been ordered to close immediately and those who recently purchased hamsters have been asked to hand over the hamsters to the authorities for disposal. In particular, those who purchase hamsters from Little Boss are forcibly detained in government-designated quarantine facilities.
About 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, chinchillas and rabbits, will be disposed of and imports of these small animals will be suspended.
Original title:Hong Kong Goes on Hamster Crackdown After Shock Delta Flareup(excerpt)
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