UPSC Prelims 2017 GS Paper I · Q31 of 100 General Science medium

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. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 only
  3. (c) Both 1 and 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Why the answer is (c)

• Zika virus is spread mainly by Aedes aegypti (and Aedes albopictus), the same day-biting mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya (statement 1).

• Sexual transmission is documented — the virus persists in semen for months — along with mother-to-child transmission causing microcephaly, and transmission through blood (statement 2).

• The 2015–16 outbreak in Brazil led WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency; India reported cases from 2017.

• Hence both 1 and 2, option (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only
Statement 2 is also correct: sexual transmission occurs.
(b) 2 only
Statement 1 is also correct: Aedes transmits both.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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