There is confusion out there from misinterpreted info (The info itself
being correct.) from the World Health Organization: Civet Cat, Raccoon
Dog, and Chinese Ferret Badgers all showed indications of having a
coronavirus (or multiple coronaviruses) similar to SARS or of having
antibodies.
 
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_05_23b/en/
 
Here are a few highlights from the article:
 
>The study detected several coronaviruses closely related genetically to
>the SARS coronavirus in two of the animal species tested (masked palm
>civet and racoon-dog).  The study also found that one additional
>species (Chinese ferret badger) elicited antibodies against the SARS
>coronavirus.  These and other wild animals are traditionally considered
>delicacies and are sold for human consumption in markets throughout
>southern China...
 
>At present, no evidence exists to suggest that these wild animal species
>play a significant role in the epidemiology of SARS outbreaks.  However,
>it cannot be ruled out that these animals might have been a source of
>human infection...
 
Then precautions are mentioned just in case for these particular species
in that location.
 
>The study provides a first indication that the SARS virus exists outside
>a human host.  However, many fundamental questions remain.  Samples were
>taken from one market only.  Studies need to determine how widespread
>the SARS virus might be in animals in Guangdong and elsewhere, and
>if these animals can excrete virus in an amount sufficient to infect
>humans.  Furthermore, the possibility of animal-to-animal transmission
>has to be investigated...
 
Ferret badgers are mustelids.  Mustelids descended from the dogs'
superfamily over 30 million years ago, while the viverrids (like the
Civet Cat) descended from the cats' superfamily over 20 million years
ago.  Raccoon dogs are canids.
 
What does this indicate and not indicate?  It indicates that the MUTATED
form which infects humans may be descended from a group of coronavirii
which are found in range that extends widely taxonomically through Order
Carnivora in southern China.  It does NOT say that these animals can
get the same coronavirus which infects humans, nor does it even give a
feeling for how common this coronavirus grouping may be elsewhere since
this group is a new discovery.  It does not say that our ferrets, dogs,
or cats can get this virus or related viruses with sufficient exposure
but that further research could be needed to know if this is possible.
 
These are only my interpretations, and as you know while I am under
treatment during the time that they are trying to find where I am
bleeding (not too much) I am eating piles of carbohydrates to not be
too flakey, dizzy, and tired from a med that has that side effect, so
use a larger grain of salt than you normally do for me and read the
article yourselves and come to your own conclusions to share.
 
If you do a Google search on SARS + ferret you will find a LOT of
confusion out there.
[Posted in FML issue 4161]