Surveillance of SARS Coronavirus among wild animal sold in Dongmen Market in Shenzhen City

Objective To survey SARS Coronavirus among wild animals sold in Dongmen Market and to learn the carried rate of SARS Coronavirus.Methods Samples of civet cat,raccoon-dog,melogalemoschata,arctonyx collaris and meles were collected from Dongmen Market from 7th May to December in 2003.SARS-Cov were isolated,and were detect by fluorescence PCR and RT-PCR.Results SARS-Cov were isolated from four civet cats and one raccoon-dog in May.In 121 animal samples,55 were SARS-Cov positive from May to December,the positive rate was 45.45%.In May,October,November and December,the positve rate of SARS -Cov wild animal samples were 50%,83.33%,34.78% and 44.87%,respec-tively. The SARS-Cov caried rate of civet cats was 90%. Conclusion Civet cat sold in Dongmen market was probably one of significant carriers for SARS-Cov and was playing an important role in SARS epidemic.