UPSC Prelims 2017 · Question 56 of 99

UPSC Prelims 2017 question on Zika Virus

Consider the following statements:

1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.

2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

Answer: C. Both 1 and 2

Verdict

The answer is both 1 and 2. Zika is transmitted by the same mosquito as dengue in tropical regions and can also be sexually transmitted.

Analysis

Statement 1 is CORRECT. Zika virus is transmitted chiefly by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions, which is the same vector that carries dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Statement 2 is CORRECT. Although mosquito transmission dominates, sexual transmission of Zika is documented and was a significant public health concern during the outbreak, particularly because of the association with microcephaly in newborns.

Source

Press reporting and public health material on Zika.

How to crack it

Group vector borne diseases by their vector rather than by the pathogen, since Aedes aegypti carries dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika, Anopheles carries malaria, and Culex carries Japanese encephalitis and filariasis. One vector to several diseases is the most efficient way to store this material. The distinguishing feature of Zika worth remembering separately is precisely that it broke the vector only pattern through sexual and vertical transmission.

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