The scaly anteater may be a host family for the virus

Chinese researchers said that the anteater of the artichoke is a potential mediating family of the Coronavirus, which has killed more than 636 people in China, and infected about 31,161 in the world.

“This latest discovery will be of great importance to the prevention and control of the origin of the virus,” said the South China Agricultural University, which led the research, in a statement posted on its website.

It is worth noting that the eater or pangolin is an animal that is traded illegally because of its scales and flesh, according to Reuters. According to the Chinese News Agency, a recent study showed that the genome sequences of the new Corona virus strain isolated from the pangolin were 99 percent identical to those of the infected patients.

According to Liu Yehong, president of the Southern China Agricultural University, the research team analyzed more than 1,000 metaginum samples from wild animals and found that pangolin might be an intermediate host. Liu said that the results showed that the pangolin is a potential intermediate host of the new Corona virus, adding that the study will support epidemic prevention and control, and also provide a scientific reference for wildlife policies.