CatQue virus that cannot cause epidemics: ICMR-NIV Director

A few days ago, the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) published a study that was previously reported in China and Vietnam and made the world aware of the virus that was also found in India.

However, the media could sensationally take it as another virus from China, unleash the epidemic and incite fear among those trying to agree. Coronavirus pandemic..

ICMR Scientists-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune told IANS that the Cat Que virus (CQV) cannot cause an epidemic.

Most of what it can do is to cause “sporadic local infections”. They also concluded that CQV cannot be considered a major public health threat at this time.

“Our conclusion is that the Namika vector (mosquito breed) can cause sporadic infections in rural areas where it is known to breed. The virus has the ability to cause epidemics and pandemics. “There is no,” said DT Mourya, Dean of the Faculty of Virology. , NIV.

CQV is not new to India. Mourya told IANS that scientists first separated the CQV in the Sagar district of Karnataka in 1961.

“It belongs to the” Bunyaviridae “, one of the largest families of animal viruses. There are 350 viruses, most of which are arthropod-borne. In the past, many viruses have been isolated from this family and have been reported from India, including: Kaisodi virus, Umbre virus, Oya virus, Chittoor virus, Thottapalayam virus, Kaikalur virus, Timiri virus, Sathuperi virus, Ganjam virus, etc. Many closely related viruses in this group have been isolated from mosquitoes, humans, birds and pigs over a vast geographic area. “Region”.

According to scientists, cases of CQV were first reported in 2004 when they were isolated from mosquitoes during surveillance in Vietnam, and then in Uganda.

In a study published by ICMR, CQV antibodies were detected in two of the 883 human serum samples tested against the virus. These samples were collected from various Indian states between 2014 and 2017.

Both samples tested were positive for anti-CQV IgG antibody, indicating that they were infected with the virus at some point. Studies have shown Indian mosquito varieties like Ae. Aedes aegypti, Cx. Culex quinquefaca and Cx. Tritaenior hynchus were susceptible to the virus. Moreover, pigs and birds such as jungle minors can also act as hosts for the virus.

The study also showed that the virus can be transmitted when a person is bitten by a mosquito. This virus is known to cause encephalitis-like symptoms similar to Japanese encephalitis (JE).

“The CatQue virus is a rare infection and is known to be transmitted by certain Namika mosquito species that are also known to infect the JE virus. The natural cycle of this virus is similar to the JE virus. These viruses can cause acute self-limiting fever. They are commonly infected with viral fever and can be misdiagnosed due to similarities with many existing infections, including: Sexual illness Dengue fever, Chikungunya fever, malaria, etc. ”

Given these isolations from neighboring countries (CQVs of Chinese mosquitoes and Vietnamese pigs) and assuming the spread of vector mosquitoes in India, ICMR-NIV is a diagnostic assay for rapid detection of this virus. I tried to develop it.

Pragya D Yadav, one of NIV’s scientists and researchers, said the work done was part of the institute’s exploratory research and people should recognize it as a major health threat. Said.

“This entire work is part of an exploratory study conducted by NIV as part of research efforts to develop active readiness for new viruses. At this time, the CatQue virus is recognized as a major public health threat. It hasn’t been done. It’s not worth the attention. ”

“Active infections with CQV have been detected in India. Antibodies have been found in only two people in the last seven years, and even those two people do not develop symptoms of the disease. This particular infection The chances of being infected by the virus are very low. The virus can spread to humans. To understand its spread, more samples need to be screened.

“But everyone needs to take precautions and follow safety measures, including preventing the collection of water in and around plants, water coolers,” said Guduru Narayana, senior consultant and general practitioner at Apollo TeleHealth. Prudhvi Raj said.