China steps up Sars civet cull
news.bbc.co.uk
The WHO has urged caution over the cull of civet cats
Authorities in China's southern Guangdong province are trying to meet a Saturday deadline for the slaughter of thousands of civet cats.
Officials say the animals may carry the Sars virus, though China's latest Sars sufferer had no contact with civets.
Officials have threatened fines of up to $12,000 on traders who try to hide the animals, a local delicacy.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the cull could infect others or destroy vital evidence.
A WHO spokesman said there was anecdotal evidence that some civets were being clubbed to death, which he said potentially put those involved in the cull at risk.
Thousands of animals have been killed so far, mostly by drowning, electrocution and incineration. An estimated 10,000 are expected to be culled in total.
Fears of a new outbreak of Sars were prompted by the first confirmed case in China in six months. The sufferer, referred to only as Mr Luo, has since recovered and left hospital.
China's official media said on Friday that a suspected sufferer - a 20-year-old woman who worked as a waitress in a restaurant that served wild game - had been in contact with civet cats.
China follows Mao with mass cull
The WHO has warned that there could be several suspected cases of the disease in the coming months, because of its resemblance to other winter illnesses.
Three Hong Kong journalists who fell ill with fevers and coughs after visiting Guangzhou have all tested negative for Sars, Hong Kong health officials said.
'Four dangers'
The extermination campaign against civets has spread to similar animals like badgers.
The authorities have also called for the slaughter of rats, which have been labelled one of the "four dangers" along with roaches, flies and mosquitoes.
In Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, red banners are calling for better hygiene.
"Everybody work together. Do more to improve hygiene. Exterminate the four dangers. Lift the level of public health," they declare.
The Sars virus spread from China last year and caused a global health crisis, killing round 800 people and infecting about 8,000. |
