A Scoping Review of "Wet Markets" and Their Risks to Public Health

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Food Safety
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Wet markets are associated with public health risks due to perceived unhygienic conditions and wildlife trade.
• There is a lack of scientific consensus on responsibility for risk assessment and surveillance of these markets.
• Understanding the existing research landscape is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of empirical research using the term "wet markets."
• To understand the types of knowledge generated about "wet markets."
• To identify policy recommendations related to these food retail spaces.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases (March 2024).
• Inclusion criteria applied to 335 unique articles, with 144 selected for final review.
• Analysis focused on empirical studies related to "wet markets."

Main Results:

• The majority of studies examined pathogen prevalence in domesticated meat and vegetables, primarily in Asia.
• No empirical studies were identified that linked wild animal trade with food trade in "wet markets."
• A discrepancy exists between Western public health narratives and empirical evidence on food safety in Asian markets.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant gap in empirical research on the risks associated with wild animal trade in wet markets.
• Further research is needed to improve the evidence base for targeted interventions and surveillance.
• Strengthening surveillance is essential for responding to public health risks and understanding their magnitude.