Bat meat still popular in parts of Indonesia, despite coronavirus fears
Bat meat is still popular in some parts of Indonesia, despite research suggesting the coronavirus spreading from China might have originated in bats before being passed on to humans, Reuters reported.
“It (the coronavirus) has not affected sales,” said bat seller Stenly Timbuleng at his stall in Tomohon, a city in North Sulawesi, south of the provincial capital of Manado.
“In fact... sales continue. It is always sold out.”
On an average day, Timbuleng sells 50-60 bats and during festive periods, he can sell up to 600.
The coronavirus is believed to have originated in a food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Health experts think it may have originated in bats and then passed to humans, possibly via another species.
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