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A new video created by leading animal protection organization Viva! explains the origins of coronavirus – in just one minute.
It is believed the virus started at a ‘wet market’ – where live animals are freshly slaughtered and kept in close proximity to humans and dead animals – in Wuhan in early December.
Since then, the virus has infected more than 256,000 people globally, killing more than 11,180. The worst-hit countries are China and Italy.
How did the coronavirus start?
The video is presented by Juliet Gellatley – Viva! founder and well-known animal rights advocate.
“Coronavirus originated in bats, and infected people via wildlife who are kept in the most vile conditions in wet markets,” she says. “Genetic analysis hasn’t completely confirmed which wildlife, but it’s thought it was the pangolin.”
She adds: “Many people haven’t even heard of pangolins, but they are scaly mammals, extraordinary, fascinating, and gentle animals, which tragically are the most trafficked on the planet.
You can watch Viva!’s full video on the origins of the coronavirus here
