China's wet markets begin to reopen but are they a danger to public health?

China has reportedly reopened its 'wet markets' where it's suspected the coronavirus pandemic began, raising concerns about public health and animal welfare.

A wet market in Shanghai Source: Getty Images

Wet markets are where fresh food and living stock can be bought for food, such as chickens, seafood or wild animals.  The World Health Organisation says SARS was probably originally an animal virus and a small number of cases may have occurred through animal to human transmission.  Wet markets in China are also thought to be responsible for the coronavirus pandemic