Doomsday set for Sars cats

By JONATHAN ANSFIELD in Guangzhou

China has given a Saturday deadline for the slaughter of civet cats as it tries to avert a Sars outbreak, but World Health Organisation experts say the cull itself could pose a health hazard.

China on Monday confirmed its first Sars case since a world epidemic was declared over in July, and began culling civet cats, a local delicacy, on fears that a new strain of the deadly virus may have jumped from the animals to humans.

Health officials in the southern province of Guangdong said a virus gene sample from the new Sars patient - a 32-year-old television producer - resembled that of a coronavirus found in civet cats.

To eliminate a possible fresh source of the disease, the province where Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome originated in November 2002 ordered wild animal markets immediately closed.

"The provincial government of Guangdong ordered the immediate shutdown of local wild animal markets and the killing of all civet cats before January 10 in an urgent measure to contain a possible outbreak of Sars," Xinhua news agency said.

To prevent wildlife from entering Guangdong, the booming province neighbouring Hong Kong, eight inspection stations had been set up along highways in eight major cities.

A health official estimated the number of civet cats to be killed in markets to be about 10,000.

Photographers saw the animals being drowned in disinfectant and their carcasses taken off in huge metal containers for incineration.

But WHO officials have urged caution on worries about the possible health risks of a slaughter, which, if not carried out carefully, could expose humans to contaminated blood.

Julie Hall, a WHO co-ordinator, urged authorities to assess the risk of slaughter compared with the risk of allowing the animals to live on in their cages.

"It's very important that we do that so that we can make sure we're actually doing the thing that is most beneficial for public health."

Xinhua quoted the Health Ministry as saying the Guangzhou patient was stable "with no abnormal symptoms" after being admitted to hospital late last month.

A Hong Kong scientist identified the civet cat as the prime suspect in the search for the source of the Sars virus at the peak of the outbreak in May last year, saying it probably jumped from the animal to humans.

In the neighbouring Philippines, authorities have ordered 34 people to stay at home after they had contact with a woman suspected of having Sars who had worked as a maid in Hong Kong.

But the WHO said there was only a remote possibility she had Sars.

Guangdong has also launched a "patriotic health campaign" to exterminate rats and cockroaches ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which starts on January 22, when tens of millions of people travel across the country and throughout the region.

But crowds of travellers packed Beijing Airport as usual yesterday, and not one surgical mask could be spotted.

Experts say the disease is spread by droplets in coughs and sneezes and when it was at its height, virtually everyone in hard-hit Chinese cities wore masks in public.

"Everybody's used to it," said Zhou Yun, 26, an attendant on a China Southern flight to Guangzhou.

"I would not expect to see much impact from Sars. The Government's measures are all in place and should be able to keep things under control."

Last year's Sars scare had not put southern people off exotic food, said Xiao Ren, a 32-year-old student on the flight, even though the Guangzhou animal markets were temporarily shut and the sale of some species banned.

"When they shut the markets, everybody drove to restaurants in the suburbs. The wild game restaurants were packed and business was exploding."

The civet cat


* China's civet cat has gone from a southern banquet delicacy to public enemy No 1 overnight.

* The brown, furry creature has a cat-like body, long tail and weasel-like face.

* It has been coveted for centuries by those who believe its tender, juicy flesh will improve their health and complexion.

* Southern Chinese have a penchant for wild game, which they believe has special nutritious and medicinal qualities not found in ordinary food.

* Many believe snake blood improves eyesight and turtle meat boosts libido.

- REUTERS