Hong Kong to kill around 2,000 hamsters after 11 of them test positive for Covid-19

Hong Kong Health Secretary said authorities were acting out of caution even though there was no evidence domestic animals can infect humans.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong warned people not to kiss pets and ordered a mass cull of hamsters on Tuesday, to the outrage of animal-lovers, after 11 of the rodents tested positive for COVID-19.

A recent coronavirus cluster in humans traced to a pet shop worker prompted checks on hundreds of animals in the Chinese-ruled territory, with 11 hamsters found infected, officials said.

Echoing the mainland`s zero-tolerance policy even as much of the world shifts to living with COVID, Hong Kong ordered 2,000 hamsters "humanely" put down, and imports and sales stopped.