China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on Thursday dismissed a
rumour that bananas grown in its southern island province of Hainan contain a virus similar to that of the
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The ministry said recently some people received mobile phone
text messages saying a SARS-like virus had been found in bananas
from Hainan and asking the receiver to tell anyone he cares
about.
"It is utterly a rumour. There has not been a case in the world
in which humans have contracted a plant virus, and there is not any
scientific evidence," said Zhang Xingwang, deputy director of the
ministry's market department.
Li Huaifang, a professor at the China Agricultural University,
said no scientists have found even one virus that humans can
contract from plants.
The rumour has resulted a drop in banana prices from Hainan
causing losses of as much as 20 million yuan (US$2.6 million) per
day, Zhang Xiyan, secretary general of the Hainan Bananas
Association.
The output of bananas in the island province accounts for one
sixth of the country's total, according to the ministry.
The local industry leader said sales in other bananas growing
regions in southern China have also been affected.
"Those spreading the false information either have inadequate
scientific knowledge, or ulterior motives," he said, adding the
case has been reported to the local police.
Bananas planters suffered heavy economic losses earlier this
year following a rumor which said bananas that have contracted
Banana Wilt could cause cancer in humans.
SARS has symptoms like those of flu. It killed more than 900
people around the world during an outbreak in 2003.
(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2007)