1. Which country has identified a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
Scientists at Wuhan Institute of Virology, China, discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2. The virus shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, but its ability to spread among humans is uncertain. The virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, related to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), but its severity in humans remains unknown.
2. Recently, which organization has launched a new network for coronaviruses, CoViNet?
[A] World Bank
[B] WHO
[C] WTO
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WHO]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched CoViNet, a global network of laboratories specializing in human, animal, and environmental coronavirus surveillance. It aims to detect and monitor emerging coronaviruses, including potential novel strains, enhancing risk assessment and informing WHO policies. CoViNet will expand surveillance capabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to monitor MERS-CoV and other significant coronaviruses, contributing to global public health preparedness.
3. A recently discovered coronavirus variant named Eris, also known as EG.5.1, is rapidly spreading in which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Italy
[C] USA
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [UK]
Notes:
A recently discovered coronavirus variant named Eris, also known as EG.5.1, is rapidly spreading throughout the United Kingdom, causing concern among health authorities.
This variant, which originated from the highly transmissible Omicron variant, was initially identified in the country last month.
4. With reference to the various Viruses in news in recent times, which of the following is / are included in RNA viruses?
- Ebola Virus
- Coronavirus
- Adenovirus
- Influenza Virus
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 & 4 ]
Notes:
The Ebola Virus, an RNA virus, causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever and has led to several epidemics in Africa. Coronaviruses, also RNA viruses, cause respiratory infections in birds and mammals, characterized by surface spikes for host attachment. Adenoviruses, DNA viruses, infect various vertebrates, causing illnesses from mild respiratory infections to severe organ diseases. Influenza viruses, RNA viruses, cause influenza in birds and mammals and have been responsible for multiple pandemics, including the 1918 Spanish Flu.
5. Consider the following statements:- GISAID Initiative promotes the rapid sharing of data from all influenza viruses and the coronavirus.
- PREDEMICS aims at providing Preparedness, Prediction and Prevention of Emerging Zoonotic Viruses with Pandemic Potential using Multidisciplinary Approaches.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
The GISAID Initiative facilitates rapid sharing of data on influenza viruses and coronaviruses, including genetic, clinical, and epidemiological information, to aid research on virus evolution and spread. Access to GISAID data is free for users who comply with its Database Access Agreement. Launched in May 2008, GISAID promotes open data sharing. PREDEMICS focuses on the preparedness, prediction, and prevention of emerging zoonotic viruses with pandemic potential, studying viruses like Influenza, Hepatitis E, and Japanese encephalitis in Europe.
6. Consider the following statements:
- Twindemic is a possibility of a severe flu season alongside COVID-19.
- Florona and Delmicron are new mutant variants of coronavirus.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Twindemic refers to the simultaneous occurrence of severe flu and COVID-19 cases during the fall and winter of 2020-2021, potentially leading to co-infection. Florona is a double respiratory infection caused by the presence of both COVID-19 and influenza viruses. Delmicron is not a new variant but a combination of protein spikes from Delta and Omicron.
7. Identify the condition involving coronavirus:
- First case was observed in Israel.
- It is not a mutant variant of coronavirus.
- It is a case of double respiratory infection.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] MERS
[B] SARS
[C] Florona
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Florona]
Notes:
Florona is a double respiratory infection caused by simultaneous COVID-19 and influenza viruses, not a mutant variant like Alpha or Omicron. The first case was identified in Israel. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is caused by the MERS-CoV, a novel coronavirus first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronaviruses can cause illnesses from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
8. Which country has announced to donate 1 million coronavirus vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX programme?
[A] Russia
[B] Israel
[C] India
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
The Israeli government has announced to donate 1 million coronavirus vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX programme.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry said the AstraZeneca vaccines would be transferred in the coming weeks. This decision is seen as a part of Israel’s strengthening ties with the African countries. Israel has close ties with several African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Last year, Israel established relations with Sudan.
9. The C.1.2 variant of the Coronavirus disease, was first reported in which country?
[A] China
[B] South Africa
[C] India
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [South Africa]
Notes:- The C.1.2 variant of the Coronavirus disease was first reported from South Africa.
- The variant has now spread to at least six countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- As per the Indian Government, India has no cases of the new C.1.2 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) variant detected so far.
- The public health body of the United Nations (UN) announced that it was monitoring the new C.1.2 virus strain.
10. What is India’s rank in the global coronavirus innovation rankings for countries?
[A] 32
[B] 26
[C] 30
[D] 25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [32]
Notes:- India fell six spots to the 32nd place in the global coronavirus innovation rankings for countries, as per a report prepared by StartupBlink in association with Health Innovation Exchange, UNAIDS.
- The report features the top-ranked 40 countries and 100 cities in the world based on innovative solutions developed to face the pandemic.
- These rankings are for innovations made specific to the Covid-19 pandemic, and also take into consideration the population of the country.
- The innovations are segmented into different categories – prevention (vaccine, protective and sanitation, automation, etc), diagnostics (telehealth diagnostics, big data and profiling, test kits, etc), treatment (telehealth treatment, ventilator and medical devices, medication, etc), grants and support initiatives (grants, relief funds, hackathons and targeted challenges, etc), information (databases, crisis communication, etc), life and business adaptation (community and mental health, education, work, shopping, etc).
