SARS Motivates Ban on Wild Animals

The southern Chinese province of Guangdong has banned the eating of various species of wild animals after recent evidence showing the SARS virus may have been introduced to humans through them.

Civet cats - considered a delicacy - are among those banned for consumption, as well as monkeys, snakes, and bats. The ban also extends to the breeding, trade, or general use of the animals in any way so as to limit potential contact and spread of the disease.