Hong Kong: Hong Kong Suspends Imports of Small Mammals Amid Fears of COVID Transmissions

The Hong Kong government ordered the culling of 2000 hamsters in Hong Kong. The order was issued over fears of an animal-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus after a pet shop saleswoman tested positive for the Delta variant, and samples collected from hamsters at the pet shop were also positive. As a result, effective January 18, 2022, Hong Kong authorities have suspended the import of all small mammals (including hamsters) and it is currently reviewing import procedures. During the first eleven months of 2021, the value of Hong Kong’s global imports of small mammals grew 7.7 percent to $2.1 million.