Q1.Consider the following statements:
- Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Plasmodium.
- It is transmitted through the bite of infected male Anopheles mosquitoes.
- Elimination of stagnant water alone can completely control malaria transmission.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : c
Explanation :
- Statement 1 – Correct: Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites (Plasmodium falciparum, vivax, etc.) affecting red blood cells.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: Only female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria because they require a blood meal for egg development; males feed only on plant nectar.
- Statement 3 – Incorrect:
- Stagnant water removal reduces breeding sites but is not sufficient alone.
- Effective control requires Integrated Vector Management (IVM): insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), early diagnosis (RDTs), and antimalarial drugs (ACTs).
- WHO emphasizes surveillance + treatment + vector control as a combined strategy.
Q2.Which of the following diseases are caused by viruses?
- Zika Virus Disease
- Kala-azar
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Typhoid
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) Only Three
(d) All Four
Answer : b
Explanation :
- Zika Virus Disease – Viral: Caused by Zika virus (Flavivirus), transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
- Japanese Encephalitis – Viral: Caused by JE virus; zoonotic disease with pigs/birds as reservoirs.
- Kala-azar – Not Viral: Caused by protozoan Leishmania donovani, transmitted by sandflies → important vector-borne parasitic disease.
- Typhoid – Not Viral: Caused by bacterium Salmonella typhi, spread via fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water).
Q3.Consider the following pairs:
- Mission Indradhanush — Immunization for children and pregnant women
- Project Sunrise — Prevention of HIV/AIDS in North Eastern states
- E-2025 Initiative — Global efforts for Tuberculosis elimination
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : a
Explanation :
- Pair 1 – Correct: Mission Indradhanush (2014) aims to increase full immunization coverage against vaccine-preventable diseases (DPT, Polio, Measles, etc.).
- Pair 2 – Correct: Project Sunrise (2016) targets high HIV prevalence regions in Northeast India through testing, awareness, and ART services.
- Pair 3 – Incorrect:
- E-2025 Initiative is linked to malaria elimination (WHO-led high-burden country support programme).
- Tuberculosis elimination is guided by End TB Strategy (WHO) and India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Q4.With reference to ‘Neglected Tropical Diseases’ (NTDs), consider the following statements:
- They comprise a group of diseases caused by diverse pathogens including bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
- They predominantly affect populations in tropical and subtropical regions with inadequate sanitation.
- India has achieved nationwide elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis as of 2024.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : a
Explanation :
- Statement 1 – Correct: NTDs include diseases like dengue (virus), leprosy (bacteria), lymphatic filariasis (parasite) → multi-pathogen category.
- Statement 2 – Correct:
- Strongly linked with poverty, poor sanitation, unsafe water, and weak healthcare access.
- High burden in tropical/subtropical regions (Africa, South Asia).
- Statement 3 – Incorrect:
- India aims for elimination but has not yet achieved nationwide elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis.
- Ongoing interventions: Mass Drug Administration (MDA) + morbidity management.
Q5.Consider the following statements:
- Vector-borne diseases are transmitted through living organisms that act as carriers of pathogens.
- Water-borne diseases are transmitted exclusively through consumption of contaminated drinking water.
- Air-borne diseases can spread via aerosols without the need for direct physical contact.
How many of the above are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only Two
(c) Only Three
(d) None
Answer : b
Explanation :
- Statement 1 – Correct:
- Vectors (mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies) transmit pathogens between hosts.
- Examples: malaria, dengue, chikungunya.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect:
- “Exclusively” is incorrect → water-borne diseases (cholera, typhoid) can also spread via food contaminated with infected water.
- Transmission is fecal-oral, not strictly limited to drinking water.
- Statement 3 – Correct:
- Air-borne diseases (TB, COVID-like infections) spread via aerosols/droplets that remain suspended in air.
- No direct contact required → enables rapid community transmission.
