Frozen Chicken Wings Imported From Brazil Test Positive For COVID-19  – China

Authorities of Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city has disclosed that a sample of chicken wings imported into China from Brazil tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a statement on Thursday, the virus was found after the disease control centres took a sample from a batch of chicken wings while screening frozen food imported into the country.

“On August 11th, Shenzhen Longgang District conducted investigation and inspection of imported cold-chain food. On August 12th, the provincial and municipal CDCs reviewed and found a surface sample of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil (registration number: SIF601; batch number: 7720051522). The new coronavirus nucleic acid test result was positive.

“The Office of the Shenzhen Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters immediately organized relevant departments to conduct comprehensive nucleic acid tests on people who may be exposed to related products. The results were all negative, and close contacts of positive samples were included in health management; all relevant stock products in the city were sealed and carried out Nucleic acid test results are all negative. All products sold are traced and notified to relevant agencies for disposal; the outer packaging and storage environment of relevant products are all eliminated.

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“Relevant departments in Shenzhen will continue to carry out retrospective inspections of related frozen products. The headquarters office reminded the general public to be cautious about buying imported frozen meat products and aquatic products in the near future, and at the same time pay attention to personal protection to reduce the risk of contracting the new coronavirus,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) while addressing the potential transmission of COVID-19 via food in April, said “it is highly unlikely that people can contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and the primary transmission route is through person-to-person contact and through direct contact with respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

“There is no evidence to date of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses being transmitted via food or food packaging.

“Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need an animal or human host to multiply.”