At a time when India is still grappling with the novel coronavirus pandemic that started in China’s Wuhan, scientists have warned of another virus -- Cat Que Virus -- from the neighbouring country that has the potential to spread diseases in India. Scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune have found the presence of the antibodies of the CQV in two out of 883 human serum samples that were collected across India. But it is said that the virus was not found in any of the human or animal samples at the time of the study. The ICMR has revealed the presence of CQV in a species of mosquitoes called Culex, and also in pigs in China and Vietnam. Notably, India, too is home to species of Culex mosquitoes. And this arthropod-borne virus (arboviruses) is usually carried by Culex mosquitoes and pigs, and could cause fatal illness in humans in India.
