New SARS Case Confirmed in China
The Chinese government is taking steps to try and prevent another outbreak of the SARS virus after a 32-year-old man was confirmed as having the disease. The man, who is from the southern province of Guangdong, developed a fever on the 16th December and was admitted to hospital four days later with pneumonia. Tests later confirmed that he is suffering from SARS. On the 5th January China announced that it will destroy thousands of civet cats and several closely related species that are currently for sale in the markets of Guangdong in an attempt to stop the potentially fatal disease from spreading. The government has also ordered the closure of all wildlife markets in the province. Scientists suspect that civet cats, which are considered a delicacy in southern China, are responsible for spreading the SARS virus from animals to humans.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.CNN.com on the 5th January 2004.
