Q. Consider the following diseases
- Diphtheria
- Chickenpox
- Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- None
Answer: (b) 3 only
Notes:
- Polio and small pox are both diseases that are completely eradicated now.
- With the help of vaccination drive and awareness, the small pox was eradicated first and recently polio was also eradicated in India.
- Measles is in control due to vaccination but it is not completely eradicated in India.
Smallpox
- Smallpox was a serious infectious disease caused by the Variola virus.
- Smallpox was eradicated, and no cases of naturally occurring smallpox have happened since 1977.
- It was mainly spread by direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact between people.
Diphtheria
- Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.
- A type of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria.
Chickenpox
- The chickenpox infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
- The virus can spread through: saliva, coughing, sneezing, contact with fluid from the blisters.