Monday, September 1, 2003

ROME, Sept 1 (AFP) - The UN Food and Agricultural Organization warned Monday that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) could reappear, and that the danger would remain so long as the source of the coronavirus that causes the deadly disease remains obscure.

The FAO report followed a study to discover a possible animal source of the virus in China, the country hardest hit by the pneumonia-like disease. Of the world's over 8,000 documented cases, about 5,200 occurred in China. More than 800 people died of the disease.

The World Health Organization already has warned that SARS may be seasonal like influenza, so finding an animal reservoir of the disease would be of great importance in future prevention measures, the FAO said.

But the report added, "To date there is no evidence that farm animal species have been infected with SARS coronavirus found in humans."

Chinese and Canadian researchers have sampled or tested over 600 farm animals including chickens, ducks, pigs and rabbits.

"Based on preliminary laboratory testing, a number of animal species is under investigation as a possible source for the virus, including the palm civet, racoon dog, a species of fruit bat, and one species of snake," said the author of the report, Laurie Gleeson, an Australian veterinarian.

"Yet we still don't know the original source as it is possible that these animals were exposed to the virus in the animal markets."

Gleeson recommended improved diagnostic tests for use in animals, and efforts to define the relationship between the SARS virus isolated from humans and the slightly different virus isolated from animals.

The report called for stepped up disease surveillance at farms and slaughter houses. It said Chinese authorities are aware of the need for this precautionary step.

http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/ab/Qhealth-china-sars-fao.Ro_j_DS1.html