Wang Ming, Director of Guangzhou Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the press conference

Luo Huiming, Health Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Guangdong Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the press conference

Feng Liuxiang, Vice-director of Guangdong Provincial Department of Public Health

Virus carried by civet cat is proved to be extremely similar to the corona virus causing SARS and local experts suggest the government to ban civet cat from table and market and to keep the mass far away from civet cat, according to two press conferences held this morning (Jan 5th).

The conference held by Guangzhou Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed the latest findings from recent scientific researches conducted by the center and Hong Kong University.

Comparing the S gene sequence of SARS-like corona virus on civet cat sample offered by Hong Kong University and that of suspected SARS case in Guangdong offered by Guangzhou Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, experts from both institutes found the two sequences are high similar to each other, which further indicates civet cat is the origin of SARS corona virus.

Experts also suggest the government to launch a cleaning-the-city campaign so as to greet the coming Lunar New Year.

On the conference held by Guangdong Provincial Department of Health later, Mr. Feng, vice director of the department says Guangdong government launch the civet-cat-banning campaign today and hope to finish the task as soon as possible.

List of experts in the first conference:

Deng Feng:            Director of Guangdong Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Xu Ruiheng:            Vice Director of Guangdong CDC
Lin Jingyan:             Vice Director of Guangdong CDC
Wang Ming:            Vice Director of Guangzhou CDC
Zhuang Zhixiong      Director of Shenzhen CDC
Luo Huiming            Director of Guangdong CDC Flu Study Institute
Wan Zhuoyue         Vice Director of Guangdong CDC Animalcule Study Institute
Cheng Qiuxia          Master, Guangdong CDC Animalcule Study Institute

related specials: Guangdong fighting SARS

Editor: Wing