ICMR scientists confirm canine distemper virus in 21 Gir lions

ICMR scientists confirm canine distemper virus in 21 Gir lions

News:

1. The canine distemper virus (CDV) has been found by scientists in the recent death of 21 Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir forest.

Important Facts:

2. Scientists at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) National Institute of Virology in Pune have found active transmission of the canine distemper virus (CDV) in at least 21 lions of Gujarat’s Gir forest.
3. ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV) also asked the government to shift healthy lions from Gujarat’s Gir forest after, fresh samples of the wild cats tested positive for CDV virus.
4. Scientists collected samples of nasal, ocular and rectal swabs, from 27 lions from Gir forest, who were unwell using molecular methods i.e. RT-PCR and were under treatment or observation at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh, Gujarat.

Note

About RT-PCR: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)  is a technique commonly used in molecular biology to detect RNA expression. It has been used to detect and study many RNA viruses.

5. ICMR-NIV had also earlier said it had found the CDV responsible for the death of five Asiatic lions in the Gir forest and  for the first time a complete genome of the CDV has been recovered by the NIV.

Note

About Canine Distemper Disease: It is a contagious and serious disease caused by a canine distemper virus (CDV)  that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies and dogs. It has also been found in foxes, wolves, raccoons, red pandas, lions, tigers, leopards and other wild cats as well as seals.

Spread:  CDV is transmitted through air as well as infected body secretions, shared food and water bowls and equipment and  through the placenta of mother to its baby.

Treatment:  There is no cure for canine distemper infection.  Treatment typically consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent secondary infections; control vomiting, diarrhea and neurologic symptoms; and combat dehydration through administration of fluids. Animals infected with canine distemper are separated from other animals to minimize the risk of further infection.

6. According to ICMR scientists, there are no papers about the mortality rate due to the CDV in lions. The prevalence of this virus and its diversity in wildlife of India is not studied and only a few reports are available regarding the detection of the CDV in captive wild carnivores which included tigers and red panda.
7. ICMR-NIV also noted that CDV infection has been found to kill 50 percent of adult dogs and 80 percent of infected puppies. In the past, the CDV wiped out 30 percent of the total population of lions in Serengeti forest areas in East Africa.
8. The Gujarat Forest Department has started vaccination of lions in the Gir sanctuary and scientists suggested that vaccines are made up of CDV American genotypes can be used as it has been found to be effective in a number of countries.

Note

The National Institute of Virology, Pune is an Indian virology research institute, of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

NIV is also the National Monitoring Center for Influenza, Japanese encephalitis, Rota, Measles and Hepatitis.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

• Apex body in India for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
• Conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit  of the Society.
• Translating medical innovations in to products/processes and introducing them in to the public health system.