> Is it possible for a virus to vector in on an ethnic group?
Sure. There are lots of diseases that affect some genetic
groups more severely than others. Are you supposing that
someone in China was trying to develop a virus that
affected only non-Asians, and it worked in reverse and
escaped the lab?
Here's the most interesting report I've seen all day:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/thrive/2003/mar/16/031609499.html
Key points:
* spread outside China seems to be under control
* China claims it's peaked & people are recovering
* virus suspected (not bacterium, toxin, prion, etc.)
* some flus (not all) ruled out, could be new strain
* H5N1 bird flu specifically ruled out
* hemorragic fevers ruled out (ebola, etc.)
* some recent victims seem to be recovering
And the really wierd one (if China is credible)
* disease seemed to weaken as it passed from person to person.
Another remark today, from a doctor was that this agent
is "presenting" (originating and spreading) exactly as
would be expected for a new natural flu strain.
And I might add that the world IS expecting another
1918-type flu (virulent w/ high mortality) some day.
Tinhats may continue wild speculation however, because
there's a lot that's odd about this. I wouldn't even
necessarily rule out a PRC Bio-Warfare experiment that
got out of control. I would, however, feel comfortable
ruling out an "Andromeda Strain" resulting from their
nascent space program :-)