Australia chides WHO support to resume Wuhan wet markets

Australia's prime minister has described as "unfathomable'' the World Health Organization's support for the reopening of wet markets in the Chinese city at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.
The United Nations agency is supporting the reopening stalls at wet markets in China's central city of Wuhan as it lifts a monthslong lockdown against the deadly coronavirus, now deemed 10 times more deadlier than swine fever.
Asked about WHO's position, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Nine Network television on Tuesday: "I think that's unfathomable, frankly.
"We need to protect the world against potential sources of outbreaks of these types of viruses. It's happened too many times. I'm totally puzzled by this decision,'' Morrison said.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said he was unsettled by China's reopening of the wet markets.
"There is a very real likelihood that this disease arose from a wet market in Wuhan _ it's clear that these are dangerous vectors,'' Hunt told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
WHO said in a statement wet markets should not be allowed to sell illegal wildlife for food and authorities should enforce food safety and hygiene regulations.
"COVID-19 has reminded us of the need to ensure that our food markets are well managed and regulated and provide an environment where people can safely trade and buy safe food products being it live, raw or processed,'' the statement said.
"Wet markets and other food markets do not need to be closed down,'' WHO added.-AP