Can freshwater fish transmit novel coronavirus?

Rumors have spread that freshwater fish are no longersafe to eat, as fish ponds in some regions are built along or over toilets andused to rinse chamber pots, which some claim could transmit the novelcoronavirus through the fecal-oral route.

First, no studies atpresent have shown the water-borne virus is infectious, so there isn't anychance people would get infections directly from fish.

Second, different types of viruses can only infectcertain species of hosts over a selected temperature range. For novelcoronavirus, it mostly attacks mammals, including humans, that are endothermicor warm-blooded, and the average human body temperature of around 36 degreesCelsius is most favorable for the infection and reproduction of the novelcoronavirus. But most freshwater fish cannot survive at this temperature,showing they can't catch or even transmit the virus.

Cooking at a high temperature is recommended beforeeating freshwater fish no matter what, as the novel coronavirus can bedeactivated after 30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 56 degrees. Good handhygiene is, as always, needed after dealing with the ingredients.