Interesting theory on the origin of SARS (1 Viewer)

[SteveGon]

Just came across an interesting theory concerning the origin of the SARS virus.

Go here for the full story.

 

[Max Leung]

If viruses fall from outer space, then why is it that China attracts so many meteors, since it seems that the different strains of influenza seem to almost always originate in Asia?

Maybe China (or a mad scientist who has a secret base in the Chinese mountains) has built a previously-undetected magnet with the mass of a small moon to pull in and attract these virus-infested meteors! We must send in James Bond (or Jackie Chan?) to save the world from the next earth-shattering-epidemic-that-coincidentally-only-kills-humans epidemic!

Why bother washing your hands or living in sanitary conditions...it's all pointless when faced by these dire circumstances. Animals couped up in cages for days in hot and humid conditions, wallowing in their piss and shit have nothing to do with the spread of disease. Uh uh, no way that can happen, based on this new non-existent but-still-terrifying evidence!

 

[SteveGon]

Max: I tend to agree that this particular theory is wrong, though that doesn't make it any less interesting. And who knows, there just might be something to it. That's the great thing about science - you never know when it's gonna throw you for a loop...

...since it seems that the different strains of influenza seem to almost always originate in Asia?

Now that is interesting. Offhand I'd say it's because of the dense population but I have to admit to not knowing much about the situation outside of reading Gina Kolata's Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic. :b

 

[Max Leung]

I think the main reason why everyone blames China (or Taiwan or Asia) for these flus is simply laziness. "Oh we have this new flu now, and it came from outside this country -- it must be Asia! I know, let's call it Yellow Flu, or Shanghai Surprise". :rolleyes

Well, I guess there was German Measles.

 

[Charles J P]

One of the guys who calls into the local radio show once a month is a Dr. and an Infectious Disease Specialist at that. He basically said what Max said. You have 1.3 billion people living in close proximity with 4 billion animals, with poor ventalation and no medicine (for the bulk of people).

To whoever wrote that article saying that their may be evidence that it came from space... I say that theory comes from Uranus. Ba dump cha!!

 

[Josh Lowe]

SARS came from a civet cat kept in unsanitary conditions. Patient zero was a cook in the restaurant where the cat was served as food.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFr...701630,00.html

Here is an actual photo of the civet cat in question.

 

[Max Leung]

Hmmmm I thought civet cats didn't look that much like cats...more like weasels? Oh well.

 

[Josh Lowe]

Most civet cats don't play command and conquer: red alert 2, either (note the card in the background)

 

[Adam Barratt]

I had chicken last night, but didn't feel the need to take a 'before' snapshot of it; if I did I probably wouldn't keep it for six months.

"So that was Dave. And here's the fish I had for dinner on Saturday. I called him Bob..."

Is that a note of scepticism?

Adam

 

[McPaul]

http://www.zoologicalimports.com/pic...ricancivet.htm

 

[James T]

I thought SARS was basically just Walkerton in Asia.