Ouch!! Is this a virus (attempt 2)??!!

[kbdsyd]

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Hello all.
I recently purchased a Catt via Ebay (Yeah, yeah, I know, but before you say it), from a reputable seller.
The orchid I received had an interesting mottling to one of its leaves; otherwise a very healthy looking plant.
Can anyone advise whether or not this is a virus?
Image 1 is front of leaf; image 2, the back . . .
If so (gulp) do I destroy it?
If not, are there measures to take to eradicate what ever it is?
How do I test for a virus?
Thanks for any advice/info!
Keir

[Lagoon]

You can't know for sure if it is a virus, unless you send it out to a lab to be tested.
This is just me, It looks very questionable, I would burn it
Keep it away from your other orchids until you decide what to do with it.
Sorry Keir

[Dorothy]

I would send the photos to the eBay seller and get your money back!
I would not given a plant, more or less sell it to someone that looked that way.
It's too questionable.

[Gin]

Can't be sure unless tested . I would contact the seller to see what they will do . Here is a link to a lab that does testing .
Critter Creek Laboratory

Orchid Virus

It does look suspicious, be careful of cross contamination . If it is a virus there is no cure . Sorry Gin

[Djarum Black]

I agree that you should contact the seller about your plant. In the case it is a virus, think of all the other people who might also end up buying sick plants from the seller. If they are reputable they will do the right thing.

[OrchidTess]

I am no expert but it looks like a virus to me.
I would contact the reputable seller and ask for a refund. BUT most of all keep it away from your other plants and take strict precautions to not spread it. If it is a valuable plant then have it tested, if not destroy it.
I feel the same as Gin it looks suspicious.

[smartie2000]

that looks very similar to something virus like, but sometimes pests or fungi can cause virus like symptoms...
if it is not valuable I would burn it
get it tested if you want the truth

Here is a virus link:
Orchid Virus

[kbdsyd]

Thanks for all the help/interest/suggestions.
I'll have a chat with the vendor . . .
Keir

[kbdsyd]

Hi again all.

For thise remotely interested, I have spoken with the vendor (a man of 45 experience growing orchids and 3000 orchids under his wing) and he assures me that it was a Mealy Bug infestation that was caught early; they had started to do some damage and the marks will remain on the plant.
Thanks again for your help!
Keir

[Ross]

First of all, your call. But keep inmind price vs. what you expected. If you had gotten same plant at a local vendor where you could inspect a whole bench of similar plants, would you have picked this plant? Especially if any plant on the bench was same price? I think health is only part of the equasion. Esthetics is other part.