Cats Likely Source of SARS, Say Researchers (Chinese delicacy likely source of deadly virus)

VOA News ^ | 5/23/03 | Katherine Maria

[ppaul]

A Hong Kong researcher says a wild animal considered a dining delicacy is the carrier of a virus that causes SARS. The finding fits earlier speculation that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome originated in wild animals.

Hong Kong University revealed Friday that the civet cat, a wild animal indigenous to southern China, is the likely source of the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Dr. K.Y. Yuen said researchers at the Shenzhen Center of Disease Control found four strains of the virus in a large percentage of civet cats. "From a special type of civet cat, we are able to isolate the coronavirus," he said, "and this coronavirus on genomic analysis was found to be very similar to the coronavirus causing SARS in humans. But if you cannot control the further jumping of such virus from animals to human, the same epidemic can occur again."

The civet, a small long mammal with short legs and a pointed snout, is a delicacy in southern Chinese cuisine. Dr. Yuen says the disease likely jumped from animal to human when it was being killed or prepared for cooking.

But the cats themselves do not display any signs of illness, according to Dr. Yuen, perhaps indicating their immune system might be geared toward controling the virus. Dr. Yuen said the finding might not lead to a vaccine or cure for SARS in humans, but he urged people in China to stop selling the animals in food markets to limit possible transmission of the virus.

In a separate development, the World Health Organization on Friday lifted its travel advisory on Hong Kong and the Chinese province of Guangdong. Hong Kong's leader Tung Chee-hwa welcomed the decision.

The advisory went into effect on April 2, when the WHO saw the disease spreading rapidly through Hong Kong, and no one knew why or how. Airlines, hotels and restaurants suffered huge losses, as tourists and business travelers deferred visits to the region and Hong Kong residents stayed home.

Detected in southern China last November, SARS started spreading in Hong Kong in early March. It was then carried to other cities around the world by airline travelers. The disease, which causes a potentially deadly pneumonia, has afflicted more than 8,000 people worldwide with almost 90 percent of cases occurring in China and Hong Kong. Globally, SARS has killed more than 700 people.

[NP-INCOMPLETE]

Well Ann, what can I say? If you do not see a dog as capable of experiencing human pain, tis not hard to beat it to death with a club and then deep fry the beast. And as for the adrenaline, its not superstition. The adrenaline in the bloodstream causes the muscles of the animal to be engourged by blood and thus become bigger and more flexible, when cooked it actually does taste much better. What level of moral development are you on? If this is an example of "Chinese culture" you can have it. Once again confirms the superiority of Western culture...

When you step on a blade of grass, does the grass not suffer? What level of moral development are you on? Morality in these matters are all relative. As for the superiority of western civilization, yes I agree there is a temporary superiority. Not one that will last forever or even for that much longer.

[skinkinthegrass]

Glad you posted "Bill, The CAT."....Mongolian Pork Dish...I prefer (Augus) Beef version... :)

[NP-INCOMPLETE]

But as far as being inhumane, China is pretty hard to beat. Especially today, where forced sterilizations and abortions, torture, capricious executions, etc. are the rule of the day. And as a man, I'm shocked and appalled at some of the things they're allowed to do to women over there. It's right in league with those crazy-a$$ Muslim freaks!

They don't treat women so badly over there. Don't believe the PC hype CNN feeds you. Moreover I judge a civilization by more tangible parameters such as demographic, economic, and of course military strength. And in all but demographic, china is number two in the world after the U.S, not bad for a race of "cruel and barbaric" people eh?

[NP-INCOMPLETE]

Just try a dish made with dog meat, it is acutally very good. Everyone is bashing on chinese cooking practices without actually trying the result.

[lib-r-teri-ann]

When you step on a blade of grass, does the grass not suffer? What level of moral development are you on? Morality in these matters are all relative. As for the superiority of western civilization, yes I agree there is a temporary superiority. Not one that will last forever or even for that much longer.

NO, a blade of grass does not suffer, don't you know the difference between a conscious, sentient being like a cat, and an unconscious being like a blade of grass? And morality is very far from being relative. What are you saying, because in China torture is practiced therefore in China torture is relatively moral?

And the superiority of Western civilization does not lie primarily in technology or economics, these are secondary side effects. The primary superiority is in the idea that we are all precious in the sight of the Creator, and cruelty, even to an animal, is simply horrible and unacceptable.

Because the Chinese have no such idea, they will never be a great civilization, no matter how far their economy or military goes - all of which I might add, is simply by COPYING the Western world! The Chinese contribute NOTHING original, only copy and steal while screaming how great they are.

[dennisw]

I took a look and that practice is very disgusting and upsetting. So vile and heartless!

[dennisw]

While it would be painful for the dogs and cats, I agree, but it makes for a superb meal. There is nothing barbaric about enhancing the flavor of food.

Sure pal. You are as barbaric as them. Actually more so since you are in America and should know better since you get exposed to many cultural influences ..... and you opt for the lowest and cruelest.

 

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[adam_az]

Yeah, the asian bear bile farms are horrible - they also have them in North Korea BTW, there's a shock.

The worst part is that the reason they were first invented was to SAVE the brown bear - to keep them for being hunted to extinction for their gall bladders for chinese traditional medicine. To save them from extinction, they locked thousands in cages with tubes stuck in the gall bladder to drain bile. Bitterly ironic, I think!

It seems they are shutting it all down gradually... It's about time.

I have no problem eating animals - but I think we are responsible to treat them with kindnessand certainly not torture them for something so stupid.

[JoeSchem]

I hate cats.

There's a breed called Tonkinese, it's a cross between Siamese and Burmese, and you'll be hard pressed to find a more affectionate and personable animal.

[P-Marlowe]

Coincidence?

[hope]

They are a filthy animal...Ain't no denying it!

[P-Marlowe]

Go here for a good laugh

http://coffeepotghost.com/THE_CATS_IN_THE_KETTLE.html

[The Pheonix]

Historically, the cruel methods of cooking are not invented by the average Chinese person

It was invented by a few cruel Emperors, who threatened their Royal chefs with deaths by torture, if they did not come up with culminary dishes that were excellent. Under threats of death, Royal chefs were stressed out enough to come up with such bizarre and cruel methods of killing animals, ie, as one forumite here said,"to stimulate more adrenalin from the anmals to make the meat more tasty"

On the other hand, the average CHinese person was struggling to survive and could not have been able to come up with all these methods of cookings

So, the moral is, just because of a few black sheep, don't condemn the whole lot of Chinese people

by the way, exotic meat is very expensive in China and the average person cannot afford it

[lib-r-teri-ann]

Yeah youre right. I shouldn't blame all Chinese folks. I'm just so full of grief when I see any sentient creature treated so cruelly. I'm sorry, I just can't stand it, it's so heart-breaking; I don't want to paint 'em all bad just cos of a brutal few.