The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that its officials have performed nucleic acid tests (NAT) on hamsters being sold at local pet shops, and they all tested negative for COVID-19.
According to the statement, as Hong Kong has detected the novel coronavirus in many hamsters sold in a pet shop, the bureau sent officials to perform random nucleic acid tests on the hamsters at the local pet shops yesterday. The statement underlined that all results were negative, adding that there have been no import records of hamsters in Macau by retail shops since last year.
The statement pointed out that the bureau will closely monitor the development of COVID-19 and will abide by the Health Bureau (SSM) prevention and control measures.
The bureau urged pet owners to be aware of personal and their pets’ hygiene. The statement also stressed that residents should not listen to rumours and abandon their pets.
Hamsters are little rodents whose distinguishing features include a short tail, fur-covered feet and elongated cheek pouches extending to their pouches, which they use to carry food back to their burrows for hoarding. The English word “hamster” is a German loanword for an animal that is hoarding.
This undated handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows an official inspecting hamsters at a local pet shop.
