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Sunday, May 25, 2003WHO expert Francois Meslin, responding to new evidence that found the Sars virus in three small mammals,including a civet cat that is eaten as a delicacy by some, said: 'It's certainly too early to draw final conclusions on those findings but they are clearly quite exciting.' Researchers from the University of Hong Kong examined 25 animals representing eight species in a live animal market in southern China that supplies restaurants in Guangdong province, where the Sars outbreak is said to have started. Six of the animals tested were masked palm civets, which look like long-nosed cats but are related to the mongoose. All the civets, which came from several different owners at the market and appeared healthy, tested positive for a Sars-like virus, said WHO's chief Sars virologist Klaus Stohr. A racoon dog (not to be confused with a coon dog) tested positive, too, and according to the WHO investigators it isn't clear whether the animals were the source of the virus or whether they caught it from infected humans. The puzzle continues. posted by Sydney on 5/25/2003 01:19:00 PM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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