Asymptomatic animal traders prove positive for SARS virus
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7415.582-a (Published 11 September 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:582
- Parry Jane
- Hong Kong
The microbiology team from the University of Hong Kong has published a paper on the origins of the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The paper, published online in Science (www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1087139) on 5 September, presents the results of testing eight species of wild and domestic animals sourced from a live animal market in Shenzhen, southern China, in May 2003. The paper also showed that eight traders of wild animals and three workers who slaughtered wild animals were positive for the virus, despite never having shown symptoms of SARS.
A total of 25 animals were tested, and researchers isolated a SARS-like coronavirus from four civet cats, as well as from a raccoon dog. Antibodies …
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