TNAG-0469-FCO40-534-Legislation-for-protection-of-wild-life-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 124

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PENN

Nichols

There'd have to be a special, if you like, "line" is the term, for bringing the animais in and carrying them through. There'd be additional staff implications; and of course we'd have to get the trade to join in with us. If we had completo opposition from the trade it would be a very long slow row to hoc. I personally would prefer to see the trade killed rather than in fact take

it to the degree if you like, of making it a sophisticated end

use. I don't honestly think that the trade merits all this

expense and attention. I would rather see the trade extinguished.

However, we know of no moves in this direction.

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Only direct evidence of rabies, Mr. Nichois says, would justify such expense, by which - since there's no health control

de

assume that he must mean an actual outbreak of rabies. Oddly enough rabies quarantine is an official requirement for dogs and cats from

China. Work that one out!

Rabies is not the only hazard however. A recent World Health Congress of Primatologists drew attention to fatal diseases communicable from monkeys to Man. In 1967, eight handlers in Europe died of an unknown virus contracted from wild monkeys - later known as the

Marburg virus.

Then in 1972, a report from Central Russia described an outbreak of human trichinosis from eating racoon dogs and civets also harbour these deadly worms.

Lance

In addition of course there are all the unknown diseases brought

in by these animals which haven't been diagnosed..... South East Asia is a relatively untouched field as far as communicable diseases is..... the virologists who come to this area are overwhelmed by the number of viruses they have to work on and

identify.

He can't really put our necks out and say that they are a serious hazard to health, at this time. But they are - all

these animals are a potential hazard to health, I would say this. The fact that they might stray over the land border doesn't mean to say that they'd come into contact with humans. The fact that these things have been captured, are in enclosed spaces, are in constant contact with humans, makes them more hazardous than an animal loft alone in the wild.

FX Street Atmosphere, Shamshuipo.

(Pausc)