New virus catalogue reveals which pathogens pose the greatest threat
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created a detailed catalogue of human-infecting RNA viruses to identify which pose the greatest pandemic risk, distinguishing between low-risk zoonotic viruses and those already capable of sustained human-to-human spread.
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have created a catalogue of human-infecting RNA viruses.
- 02The catalogue aims to identify which pathogens pose the greatest pandemic risk.
- 03The catalogue distinguishes between low-risk zoonotic viruses and those already capable of sustained human-to-human spread.
- 04RNA viruses are a type of virus that uses ribonucleic acid (RNA) as its genetic material.
- 05Zoonotic viruses can be transmitted from animals to humans, but some may not pose significant pandemic risk.
- 06The catalogue is designed to help scientists and policymakers identify the most pressing public health threats.
Trap alerts
- Most people think all zoonotic viruses are a significant threat, but actually only those with sustained human-to-human spread are considered high-risk.
- Most people think RNA viruses are the only type of virus that can cause pandemics, but actually other types of viruses like DNA viruses can also be a concern.
Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the role of scientific cataloguing in identifying and mitigating pandemic risks, with specific reference to the recent RNA virus catalogue developed by scientists at the University of Edinburgh.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
Which type of viruses does the new catalogue identify?
- A.DNA viruses
- B.RNA viruses
- C.Protein viruses
- D.Viral vectors
The catalogue focuses on human-infecting RNA viruses, which are a significant concern for public health.
Where is the University of Edinburgh located?
- A.London
- B.Edinburgh, Scotland
- C.Oxford
- D.Cambridge
The University of Edinburgh is a renowned institution in Scotland, UK.
What type of RNA viruses are targeted in this scientific research?
- A.DNA viruses
- B.Human-infecting RNA viruses
- C.Plant-infecting RNA viruses
- D.Animal-infecting DNA viruses
The research specifically targets human-infecting RNA viruses, which pose a significant pandemic risk.
Consider the following statements regarding Pandemic risk assessment: 1. The catalogue was created by scientists at Harvard University. 2. The catalogue distinguishes between low-risk zoonotic viruses and those already capable of sustained human-to-human spread. 3. The catalogue only includes DNA viruses. How many of the above statements are correct?
- A.Only one
- B.Only two
- C.All three
- D.None
The catalogue was actually created by scientists at the University of Edinburgh. The correct distinction is mentioned in the source as a key feature of the catalogue, but there is no mention of Harvard University or DNA viruses only.
Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: The catalogue distinguishes between low-risk zoonotic viruses and those already capable of sustained human-to-human spread. Statement-II: This distinction helps identify which pathogens pose the greatest pandemic risk. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
The catalogue's ability to distinguish between low-risk zoonotic viruses and those already capable of sustained human-to-human spread is crucial in identifying which pathogens pose the greatest pandemic risk. This distinction allows scientists to prioritize their efforts accordingly.