Question: Which of the following national park was recently in news being affected by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)?
(a)Keoladeo national park
(b)Gir national park
(c)Dudhwa national park
(d)Corbett national park
Answer:( b)
Related facts:
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) that has caused the death of five Asiatic lions in Gir Forest, Gujarat has been completely recovered by the scientists from ICMR-NIV for the first time in India.
- In the past, CDV has wiped out 30% of the lion population in the Serengeti Forests in East Africa.
- Considering the threat posed by CDV, ICMR has requested centre to take immediate steps to save Asiatic lions, which are heading towards extinction.
- As a precautionary measure, 300 shots of CDV vaccine are being imported from the US.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV):
- Canine distemper virus is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects dogs. The virus is not a risk to either human health (does not present any symptoms) or food safety.
- Canine distemper virus (CDV) is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus that is part of the Paramyxovirus family, specifically the Morbillivirus class of viruses and is closely related to the measles virus, which affects humans.
- It can also be found in other wildlife such as foxes, wolves, coyotes, racoons, skunks, mink and ferrets.
Links:
http://info.virox.com/hubfs/VAH_Resources_/PDFs/Factsheet_CanineDistemperVirus_April2016.pdf
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/containing-a-virus/article25185548.ece