Since Chinese scientists traced the severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) virus to a similar virus found in several species
of wildlife, including the civet cat, civet cat breeders have been
dealt a heavy blow.
To
eliminate the alleged source of the epidemic, authorities quickly
closed down breeding farms across China. No transport or
consumption of these animals was allowed.
Beginning in early May, the State Administration for Industry and
Commerce, along with forestry authorities, have urged relevant
government departments at all levels to suspend the processing of
business license applications for business transactions involving
the civet cat, said Wu Minglu, forestry official in north China's
Hebei province.
In
late May, Hebei officials confiscated 135 civet cats, and a total
of 20,000 were placed in isolation in some 13 provinces
nationwide.
The fate of these animals lies in the hands of the scientists who
are conducting research on the possible link.
The breeding of the civet cat was once a fairy profitable business,
as well as a short-cut for many farmers to earn a sizeable income.
The SARS outbreak, however, has completely dashedtheir hopes.
"I
would never have bred them had I known that they might carrythe
SARS virus," said Gai Longlong, a farmer in Hebei's Pingshan
County, who spent at least 10,000 yuan (1,200 U.S. dollars) to
purchase 35 civet cats last March.
Liao Zefeng, the owner of a civet cat breeding farm in east China's
Jiangxi province, was preparing to sell his mature cats when the
possible link to SARS became public. "If the news had come out days
later, I could have earned over 100,000 yuan (12,000U.S. dollars),"
said the 35-year-old farmer, who now must feed the1,200 cats, not
knowing whether they will ever be sold.
Scientists note that quarantine and isolation are necessary,
although additional, in-depth research is needed to determine
whether or not civet cats or other wildlife were the original
conduit of the disease's spread to humans.
Analysts have also called on the public to refrain from eating or
engaging in contact with civet cats and other wild animals.
(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2003)
