Ferrets, Cats and SARS

In a bit of news that is sure to panic some pet owners and give more ammunition to governing bodies that have banned ferrets (or would like to), researches have found that ferrets and cats can be infected with the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The researchers found that ferrets and cats could be infected with the human strain of the virus by placing drops containing the virus in their eyes, noses and throats. It was also found that infected ferrets and cats could transmit the virus to other ferrets and cats (although this conclusion is being questioned by some scientists). Scientists may be quite interested in how different animals defend against this virus, though, since the ferrets apparently became quite ill but the cats did not. The study also notes that the SARS virus was found in some cats from an apartment building in Hong Kong where a many residents were infected. So what does this mean to people and their ferrets and cats? At this point, not very much. The study did not determine that people can become infected from their pets or that cats and ferrets are natural reservoirs for the virus. It does suggest that the virus could be passed between species, and in theory it is possible that animals could carry and transmit the virus to people. It may even mean that in the event of another outbreak, pets that have been exposed to the virus may be quarantined (like humans). It does show that the virus is pretty flexible and its ability to infect multiple species is worrisome to experts.

The idea of interspecies transmission of the SARS virus is not new. A virus very close to the human strain of the coronavirus that causes SARS was found in palm civets, raccoon dogs and ferret badgers in China. All of these animals are raised as meat for exotic meat markets there. It is suspected (but not proven) that they may have source of the virus for the SARS outbreak in the spring of 2003. If they were they source, scientists aren't sure that they weren't just secondarily infected by some other unknown source (some believe this is likely). The type of virus involved in the SARS outbreak is notorious for being able to mutate (change) rapidly, and it is entirely possible that scientists will never be able to pinpoint where the virus came from, or perhaps where it is going.

More Resources:
Sars Virus and Palm Civets - from Cats Guide Franny Syufy
Pets Vulnerable to SARS - CNN
SARS Linked to AnimalsCTV News
SARS Information - Centers for Disease Control