And here I thought my kitties just increased my risk of finding half-a-mouse on the doorstoop and the occasional hairball on a carpet...
http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/76/90032.htm?printing=true "...New research shows that common house pets such as cats and ferrets may easily become infected with the SARS virus and spread the disease to others. Researchers say the original source of the virus that causes SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is still unknown, but many suspect it emerged from a wild animal species. However, the results of a new study suggest that the animal reservoir from which the virus may have jumped to humans may include a wide range of animals, both domestic and wild... "...Domestic cats living in an apartment complex in Hong Kong that was particularly hard hit by the SARS outbreak also were found to be infected with the SARS virus. In this study, researchers found through laboratory testing that both domestic cats and ferrets were easily infected with SARS virus taken from a human patient. They also transmitted the virus to other animals that live with them..." It shouldn't be a problem in the US at the moment, but a quarantine on animals from China and Hong Kong is reasonable, until they find a reliable screening test or a proper vaccine. SARS becoming established in the feral cat population here would not be good for humans (or the endangered black-footed ferret). Debbi __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard http://antispam.yahoo.com/whatsnewfree _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
