FWD: Indulging in exotic food not worth the risk

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This article is from thestar.com.my

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Friday, May 30, 2003

Indulging in exotic food not worth the risk

 

 

ALTHOUGH unfortunate that it had to happen this way, the Severe Acute

Respiratory Syndrome outbreak should give wildlife conservation a shot in the

arm.

 

This is based on reports from Hong Kong University researchers that the deadly

coronavirus has been isolated in wild civet cats, an endangered species but a

delicacy in southern China. It is also available in illegal “exotic food”

restaurants in Malaysia.

 

The report further adds that diseased civet cats might have caught the

infection from other unknown wild animals, some of which do end up on the table.

Raccoons, weasels and badgers have fallen under suspicion as well.

 

These findings are corroborated by the fact that the virulent Ebola and

Nipah/JE viruses are known to have been transmitted by certain monkeys and bats

respectively, two animals that are consumed by gourmets having extraordinary

tastes.

 

The public and adventurous eaters would be well advised to refrain from

consuming meat other than that whose slaughter is sanctioned by our Veterinary

Department.

 

Animal flesh that was apparently harmless before, could have now become the

host of newly mutated and deadly organisms.

 

It is certainly not worth the risk indulging in questionable gastronomic

pleasures, which could well prove fatal.

 

 

 

DATUK DR S. VIJAYARATNAM,

 

Seremban.

 

(via e-mail)

 

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