The much maligned pangolin got thrown into a pretty unfortunate spotlight in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  There was plenty of evidence to suggest the virus originated in the "wet markets" of China and the pangolin was the link between diseased bats and human hosts. This from the pangolin wikipedia page-

The illicit Chinese trade of pangolins was suggested as a vector for human transmission.[13][15] However, pangolins were eventually ruled out as the definitive source of (SARS-CoV-2), after it emerged that the 99% match did not actually refer to the entire genome, but to a specific site known as the receptor-binding domain (RBD).[16] A whole-genome comparison found that the pangolin and human viruses share only up to 92% of their nucleic acid sequence, while at least 99.8% is needed for a conclusive match.

If you got sleepy while reading that, you're not alone. I had no idea that the pangolin is reported to be the most trafficked animal in the world. People like them for lots of different reasons. You can read some of those here.  Or take a peek at this-

Illegal Trading At Myanmar's Lawless Region, Mong La
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People across Asia and Africa love the little fellas from their scales to their steaks. Well people are odd that way.  My grandpa Doc always wanted the turkey neck at Thanksgiving.  Like I said- odd. But one critter we can all agree is tasty in every way- cue the pigs!

Alameda County Fair Features Attractions, Animals, And Fried Food
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Delicious and entertaining.

The Swine Flu is nothing new,  The Avian Flu is nothing new. Heck, Mad Cow Disease was a real eye opener.  Were the English really feeding cows other cows?

Well pigs in China have been getting the sniffles again, this time called G4. Seems G4 is a cause for concern.  Not panic, but concern. Dr. Anthony Fauci said this in a Senate hearing on June 30th-

It’s not an immediate threat where you’re seeing infections, but it’s something we need to keep our eye on, just the way we did in 2009 with the emergence of the swine flu.

How about an African equivalent that's making it's way around the world?

Animal rights groups have tried to capitalize on the pandemic to spread their anti-animal agriculture agenda by claiming livestock will be the cause of the next pandemic, pointing to the current African swine flu as an example. African swine flu, which originated in Africa, has now spread to Europe and as far as China, also threatening Thailand.

Do livestock producers here in North Dakota have cause for concern?  It would seem politically they might, as the pandemic has put wind in the sails of many anti-livestock factions. You made it this far- please read this GREAT article on the Farm And Ranch Guide website. 

And keep your paws off my pork chops!


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