Scientists: Sars virus came from animals
A new genetic sequencing of the SARS virus has proved conclusively that it came from animals, researchers in Hong Kong said today.
The University of Hong Kong researchers also said they believe – but have not yet proved – that the virus mutated into a more dangerous form that infected about 300 people in one hard-hit apartment block there.
“This virus did not originally exist in humans, it definitely comes from animals,” said microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung.
But the scientists said more research is needed before they can hope to know which animal species had spread Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) to humans.
Sars has killed at least 156 worldwide. More than 3,200 people have fallen ill.
After cracking the genetic code, as researchers in Canada and the US did in recent days, the Hong Kong scientists agreed it was a new version of the coronavirus, which can cause common colds, but unlike any seen before.
“If this virus had been very close to the rat virus, mouse virus or pig virus, one could clearly say this is the origin,” said Malik Peiris, another microbiologist at the university.
“But what this is telling us is that in fact, this virus is not close to any of the known human or animal viruses,” Peiris said. “It is something that is new to science.”
Asked about the possibility that the virus was man-made, Peiris said there was no chance of that.
“That whole genome is essentially new,” he said. “Nature has been the terrorist throwing up this virus.”
