MANADO, Indonesia: Bat meat is still popular in some parts of Indonesia, despite research suggesting the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) spreading from China might have originated in bats before being passed on to humans. Bats are traditionally eaten by the Minahasan people from North Sulawesi in the form of a curry-like dish called Paniki. “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. “Bats are the favourite indigenous protein, particularly in North Sulawesi,” Indonesian culinary expert and author of half a dozen cookbooks, William W. Wongso, told Reuters. For Manadonese Jufry Mantak, the links between the coronavirus and his favourite dish have not put him off.

Source: New Strait Times February 11, 2020 10:07 UTC