What is Cat Que Virus? What are the signs of infestation?
New Delhi, Sep 29: Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, a new Cat Que Virus from China is the next threat to India.
Researchers at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have discovered that the'cat que virus' (CQV), that has infected many in China, may cause diseases like febrile illnesses, meningitis, and paediatric encephalitis in India too.
Another virus from China: ICMR warns of Cat Que Virus in India
Cat Que virus (CQV), a Simbu serogroup virus of the genus Orthobunyavirus (family Bunyaviridae), was first isolated in 2004 from mosquitoes during surveillance of arbovirus activity in acute pediatric encephalitis in northern Vietnam.
What
does
the
study
say?
The
presence
of
the
Cat
Que
virus
has
been
largely
reported
in
Culex
mosquitoes
in
China
and
in
pigs
in
northern
Vietnam.
Signs
of
an
Infestation
Culex
mosquitoes
are
attracted
to
warm
and
moist
environments,
so
properties
in
close
proximity
to
marshes,
ponds
or
lakes
are
at
higher
risk
for
an
infestation.
Additionally, stagnant water around the property in areas such bird baths, kiddie pools and overturned grill and trash can covers can make for ideal mosquito breeding grounds and can signal their presence. The pests themselves are difficult to see during the day, as they typically come out at dawn and dusk.
What do mosquitoes look like?
Culex mosquitoes can vary in color, typically appearing gray with white, silver, green or iridescent blue scales. They have two wings, a set of antennae, slender bodies and long legs. Culex mosquitoes are usually about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in length, although their body size can slightly differ depending on how recently they've fed. Individually, mosquitoes are very difficult to spot as they fly because of their small size and due to the fact that they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Scientific Name: Cat Que virus
Lineage Viruses; Riboviria; Orthornavirae; Negarnaviricota; Polyploviricotina; Ellioviricetes; Bunyavirales; Peribunyaviridae; Orthobunyavirus; Manzanilla orthobunyavirus
Genome type: Segmented
Known
hosts
Scientific
Name:
Culex
Lineage
Eukaryota;
Opisthokonta;
Metazoa;
Eumetazoa;
Bilateria;
Protostomia;
Ecdysozoa;
Panarthropoda;
Arthropoda;
Mandibulata;
Pancrustacea;
Hexapoda;
Insecta;
Dicondylia;
Pterygota;
Neoptera;
Holometabola;
Diptera;
Nematocera;
Culicomorpha;
Culicoidea;
Culicidae;
Culicinae;
Culicini