In April, the World Health Organization (WHO), along with the World Organization for Animal Health and the UN Environment Programme, urged countries to suspend the sale of live animals from the wild in food markets. The recommendation was considered an emergency measure to prevent the outbreak of diseases. The WHO noted that wild animals are a leading source of emerging infectious5 diseases, like the one responsible for the present coronavirus pandemic.
When offering its guidelines, the United Nations’ health agency said that animals “are the source of more than 70% of all emerging infectious diseases in humans, many of which are caused by novel viruses.” The WHO also mentioned the risk of zoonotic diseases which may result from people coming into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected animal. They also explained that there is a heightened risk of picking up diseases at places where wild animals are housed.
The WHO noted in its statement that it recognizes many people around the globe are dependent on wet markets for food as well as livelihoods. However, it argued that a ban on the sale of wild animals will protect people’s health and will be a positive step in the long run.
The origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been a source of intense speculation since the start of the pandemic. Some epidemiologists believe that this particular strain came from bats and was passed to humans through an intermediary species. It is assumed that this jump to humans occurred when an animal from the wild was brought to a Wuhan wet market to be sold as food or for use in traditional medicine.
1. Why is the UN Environment Programme mentioned in the passage?
(A) They are concerned with animal welfare.
(B) They support the WHO’s suggestions.
(C) They want to promote more markets.
(D) They made a recommendation different from the WHO’s.
2. What does the word “livelihoods” most likely mean in paragraph 3?
(A) Entertainment.
(B) Medication.
(C) Income.
(D) Shelter.
3. Why is the WHO calling on countries to stop the sale of live animals at markets?
(A) To bring an end to animal abuse.
(B) To protect endangered species.
(C) To keep deadly viruses from passing to animals.
(D) To prevent people from contracting animal-borne diseases.
