Masked palm civets and their suspected link to SARS (severe
acute respiratory syndrome) are back in the headlines again.
The latest research has shown a close link to the animal.
Officials in the capital city of south China's Guangdong Province
are now conducting a province-wide effort to cull 10,000
civets.
The genetic sequence of the corona virus detected in the civets
by researchers at the University of Hong Kong and the Shenzhen
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been found to
be nearly identical with that of the virus sample of the new case
in Guangzhou, said Lin Jinyan, deputy director of Guangdong
CDC.
Hong Kong microbiologists have conducted a series of tests on
civets since the suspected SARS case was reported late last
month.
In the origin-seeking research, 27 mammal species were sampled,
two more than a similar test last May, said Zhuang Zhixiong,
director of Shenzhen CDC. And abundant strains of the deadly virus
were found in civet samples.
Researchers from the Guangdong CDC further confirmed the
finding, adding that the genetic differences between the corona
virus on civets and the virus sample separated from the patient is
extremely slim, with only eight points in the respective genetic
codes. In comparison, last year's test showed a difference of 18
points, said Chen Qiuhong of Guangdong CDC.
Experts from Guangdong and Hong Kong agree that masked palm
civets are now considered the main carrier of the SARS virus.
Officials from the Guangdong Provincial Public Health
Administration (GPPHA) have called on the public to stop activities
that involve the animal, including capturing, transporting, selling
and eating it.
Even the badger, whose living environment is very similar to the
civet, is being suggested for a ban.
Feng Liuxiang, GPPHA's deputy director, said that there are all
together about 10,000 masked palm civets in Guangdong, most of
which were transported from Shaanxi
Province in northwest China. They will be killed and buried to
prevent another SARS outbreak.
Restaurants are being inspected and, if they are found to be
processing or selling civet meat, their business licenses and
sanitation certificates will be revoked, effectively resulting in a
shutdown, said Feng.
(China Daily January 6, 2004)