Hong Kong now is seriously affected by the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It is a widely spread transmission disease called atypical pneumonia which caused many people died.

Recently many local newspaper started to blame on the custom of eating wild animals and cats in mainland China and suspected that it would be the origin of the disease.

Accompanied with the related virus found in a cat which was living together with an infected resident in Amoy Garden, where a large cluster of infected people was reported.

Are the cats simply the disease makers? Are they the virus carrier?

The scientists of the University of Hong Kong had sequenced the strain in the genome of  the suspect virus and found that the genome is similar to rodent or cow. However they stated that the virus is a new one and had never found in the known animals like cats or dogs. But the reporters of our local   newspapers again did stupid things again that  intended to make people panic about their pets.

We can make good and adventurous hypothesis, but we can't  try to boost any strange theories at this moment, a really tough time.

It will cause rapid increase of abandon animals again, like the case in 1996 that the government started to ban keeping cats and dogs in public housing.

We cannot blame on the cats

Actually, the examination about the cat showed that the suspect virus had disappeared in the second days. So the scientists believed that the disease causing virus won't live in the cats, or even cause the cats ill.

Of course it is true that the cats would be a carrier although they can carry the lethal virus only one day. Just because of it, we absolutely don't try to abandon the animals to the streets again as to stop any possibility of the diseases spread again, from animals to man or from man to animals, and deadly from man to man.

The worst thing is that there are strong evidences to show the SARS can be easily transmitted from ones to ones, yet men to men! All kept animals in healthy and clean households has no similar cases so far.

Also, a long time ago there has never been any evidence showing that feline can pass lethal viruses to human beings. It is hard to say the viruses can be modified suddenly and infect us now simply, which is the situation  many centuries has never been!

So at this moment we cannot blame on our cats.

Should we believe the stupid ideas from the unqualified journalists in Hong Kong newspapers?

I don't state that feline animals are 100% not the carriers, but they are really not the direct ones at this moment. However there should be no harm living with the domestic cats if we won't let them exposed to the viruses.

So we must not let them out or touched with strangers or infected people. it is very important.

Prevent is better than cure

I agree to do more prevention. We must keep our environment hygiene and avoid any viruses developed in our households. So we must wear masks when we go out and clean out hands always to keep all viruses away from our bodies.

We, human being, is the major diseases carriers. So I believe that we have to do more to prevent the diseases. It is not the same as the H5N1，the flu virus believed transmitted via game birds and pigs. We cannot kill all cats if we think they are carriers as we thought the chickens were carriers.

So people must do the best prevention rather than doing stupid killing or abandon.

I really do not know why there are still many people resist to wearing masks in the public area. Also there are still many people spit everywhere. The old style Chinese people always have such undesirable customs. Fortunately most Hong Kong people are well educated. Only the new China immigrants or 'mainland China homed people' are not keeping good pace with Hong Kong community.

Anyway, without good cure, good medicine, prevention is the best practices. Wearing mask and keeping environment is the only way to stop the spread of the disease.

Now our government and China government are working together to combat this disease. I personally believe the scientists can do well. We must work in solidarity. I believe we can beat it down and enjoy our life again.

I heartily hope the infected people will recover very soon and no more people need to offer their valuable lives to the demoniac disease. I understand how sad will be is a family member goes away. I hope every people can enjoy a wonderful and happy life.

Wishing you a happy Easter.