Question 80 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Science and Technology

Question

Consider the following diseases:
1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 3 only

Strategy: Focus on the definition of 'eradicated' as the complete removal of a disease. Since only smallpox has been officially eradicated globally and in India, eliminate options containing chickenpox or diphtheria. Select the answer that features smallpox (option B).

Key Info: ## Smallpox
- The only human disease declared eradicated by the WHO and the Government of India.
- The last natural case globally occurred in Somalia in 1977.
- India was declared free of smallpox in 1977.
- The World Health Assembly certified global eradication in 1980.
- Eradication was achieved through a comprehensive vaccination campaign led by WHO and Indian health authorities.
- Caused by the Variola virus, it was known for high mortality rates and serious complications.

## Diphtheria
- A bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
- Preventable by the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccine.
- The disease still appears in sporadic cases in India and elsewhere; it has not been eradicated but is controlled.

## Chickenpox
- A viral disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
- Preventable through vaccination and generally mild in children.
- It continues to occur in India and worldwide and has not been eradicated.

## Eradication vs. Elimination
- Eradication implies zero incidence of a disease globally, with no need for future control measures.
- Elimination applies to a specific geographic region.
- India has seen the elimination of certain diseases, such as polio, but only smallpox is globally and nationally eradicated.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1, 2, and 3

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: None

Consider the following diseases: Diphtheria Chickenpox Smallpox Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

Consider the following diseases:

Diphtheria

Chickenpox

Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?