Fear of viral spread has also alerted medical officials. ICMR experts have also sounded an alarm, after finding evidence of antibodies related to the viral strain in India.
This is what we know so far
The problems started when scientists from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) found some antibodies in 2 of the 883 human samples analyzed in different states of India. The antibodies were associated with the infectious Cat Que virus, showing that the virus could have infected some people at one point.
Calling it a ‘neglected virus at risk’, ICMR said the two samples collected date back to 2014 and 2017 in Karnataka. The virus has not been found to be prevalent in any other human or animal sample, according to reports.
The study was conducted by the ICMR in 2017. However, the repeated resurgence in some Asian countries has experts concerned.
A statement reads: “The positivity of anti-CQV IgG antibodies in analyzed human serum samples and the replication capacity of CQV in mosquitoes indicated a potential disease-causing potential of CQV in the Indian setting. Screening of more human and swine serum samples is required using these assays as a proactive measure to understand the prevalence of this neglected tropical virus. ”
What is the Cat Que virus?
The mysterious Cat Que virus is a type of virus that is known to infect both animals (such as mosquitoes, pigs) and humans.
The virus is said to cause terrifying symptoms such as high fever, meningitis, pediatric encephalitis and is commonly seen in pigs in districts of China and Vietnam.
Cat Que Virus is a type of virus transmitted through arthropod vectors, also known as arbovirus. According to experts, there are more than 130 different types of arboviruses in circulation, which are known to infect humans. Symptoms of the virus range in severity from asymptomatic, mild flu-like symptoms, or very severe.
How does it spread?
While the infection typically spreads in poultry and mammals, it could also spread to humans through the transmission of mosquitoes and insects.
The main route of transmission is when an infected insect or mosquito bites a human host. Flaviviruses, bunyavirus, dengue, and dangerous Japanese encephalitis are some of the most common strains known to affect humans.
In addition to bites, arboviruses could also affect humans through blood transfusion, transplantation, sexual contact, pregnancy, and childbirth.
According to ICMR, in India, certain breeds of mosquitoes such as aegypti, Cx quinquefasciatus, and Cx Tritaeniorhynchus are at higher risk and may act as a medium for further transmission.
The study findings were published in the latest issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR).
Scientists have also suggested that traces of the infection found in mammals such as pigs, a wild myna bird and mosquitoes could mean that the virus could develop into a public health crisis, much like the coronavirus pandemic.
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