Health Journal Entry
Proof SARS Spread from Animals (September 19, 2003)
The masked palm civet is one of the species found with the SARS virus in southern China. University of Hong Kong.
Chinese researchers confirmed that the deadly SARS virus was spread to humans from animals. They reached the conclusion after conducting genetic tests on animals sold in food markets in southern China.
The scientists found traces of a SARs-like coronavirus in several animals, including the masked palm civet. The civet is a racoon-like animal that is prized as a food delicacy in the region. The researchers don't know for sure if the civet or another animal was the main source of the epidemic. The virus could have spread to them from some other animal in the food chain.
SARS first appeared in Guangdong Province in southern China in November 2002. From November to May, the disease spread to about 8,500 people in 30 different countries worldwide. More than 800 people died. Most of the deaths were in China and other parts of Asia, but the disease also hit hard in Toronto, Canada where 41 people lost their lives.
