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May 28, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“Scientists Link SARS Outbreak to Animal in Mongoose Family”

Baltimore Sun (www.sunspot.net) (05/24/03) P. 1A; Epstein, Gady A.

Scientists in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, believe that the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome entered humans from civet cats eaten in China, though the virus has also been found in a badger and one breed of dog.  However, the World Health Organization (WHO) cautions that the findings are preliminary and that the animals could have been infected by humans or tainted feed.  Identifying a specific animal source, authorities say, is essential in preventing future outbreaks and reintroduction into humans.  The WHO has lifted its advisory against traveling to China's Guangdong province and to Hong Kong but left others in place.  Since the outbreaks were first discovered, animal handlers have shown a high incidence of infection; civet cats, which are members of the mongoose family rather than true cats, do not suffer ill effects from the virus.