A sample of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, authorities said Thursday, August 13, while announcing the latest reports of contaminated imported food products.

According to a press notice released by the Chinese local government, the infected poultry was discovered in the city of Shenzhen during routine screenings of imported meat and seafood carried out since June.

Following the incident however, Shenzhen health authorities immediately traced and tested people who might have come into contact with the product, and all results came back negative; all related products in stock have been sealed off and tested negative, the statement added.

In response, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) said in a statement that it is analysing the incident and reiterated that "there is no scientific evidence that meat transmits the virus."

"It is not yet clear when the packaging was contaminated, and whether it occurred during the export transportation process," ABPA added.

On Wednesday, China also reported that the coronavirus was found on packages of shrimp shipped in from Ecuador.

No evidence of food transmission

The World Health Organisation says it is "highly unlikely that people can contract Covid-19 from food or food packaging."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited the same sentiments saying that the risk of infection by the virus from food products, food packaging, or bags is "thought to be very low."

Both health organizations point out that the coronavirus spreads mostly person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

Stepped up screening

Chinese authorities have increased screening of imported meat and seafood products since June, when a coronavirus outbreak in Beijing emerged from the city's largest wholesale food market.