Newsstand - So S.A.R.S. source may have been identified

The S.A.R.S. virus is reportedly very similar to a corona virus found in civet "cats" which are sold for food in China. Looks like it'll join the following human diseases that came from animals:

Measles cows (rinderpest)
Tuberculosis cows
Smallpox cows, other pox-susceptible animals
Influenza pigs, chickens and ducks
Pertussis pigs, dogs
Malaria birds
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/news/6691660.htm

I just hope SARS does not return this winter, and people will remember SARS prevention too !

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
The S.A.R.S. virus is reportedly very similar to a corona virus found in civet "cats" which are sold for food in China. Looks like it'll join the following human diseases that came from animals:

Measles cows (rinderpest)
Tuberculosis cows
Smallpox cows, other pox-susceptible animals
Influenza pigs, chickens and ducks
Pertussis pigs, dogs
Malaria birds
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/news/6691660.htm</font>

I do not think that many, if not all, of the above diseases that you have identified as having "come from animals" in the sense that they were a form of mutated animal virus; nevertheless, I am in agreement that the SARS virus is probably a mutation of the one identified in civet "cats" that are used for food in China.

In that vein, you inexplicably left off the above list the one virus that has produced a modern worldwide plague in its wake. Of course, I am referring to the HIV virus that is remarkably similarly to the SIV virus that is seen in chimpanzees. Although there is not definitive proof for the transmissional jump between the two species (us and chimps), due regard must be noted that chimpanzee meat is eaten in Africa and is referred to colloquially as "bushmeat." I would not be at all surprised that a similar jump and mutation of the SIV virus in the human host has occurred not unlike what is posited for the SARS virus.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NJUPINTHEAIR:
I do not think that many, if not all, of the above diseases that you have identified as having "come from animals" in the sense that they were a form of mutated animal virus</font>

Actually, they do theorize these diseases come from animals (see Jared Diamond's 'Guns Germs and Steel'). The native americans, among others, who had not had exposure to these animals pre-Columbian times were wiped out by them. The rest of the world long had continuous exposure to these animals and their diseases.

FWIW, I think only influenza and the poxes are virii?

Yes, I forgot about SIV and possible mutation into HIV through bushmeat consumption.

I understand that the Chinese Government has just lifted the ban on the sale of Civit Cats, which could bring back the SARS problem in the winter.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Markie:
I understand that the Chinese Government has just lifted the ban on the sale of Civit Cats, which could bring back the SARS problem in the winter.</font>

If so, it's possible but we don't know if the virus makes easy jumps. I suspect the virus that would be most likely to infect humans is the one that has mutated to host in humans.

Of course, we don't know if it mutates like the influenza virus that first effects chickens, mutates to pigs and then to humans (avian flu is when it jumps from poultry straight to humans).

SARS is back, one case reported in S'pore today/yesterday.