Zoonotic Diseases and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Critical for public health policy, pandemic preparedness, environmental conservation, and understanding human-animal-environment interfaces.
Zoonotic diseases are infections naturally transmissible from animals to humans, often emerging due to ecological changes, human-animal interaction, and climate change. Emerging infectious diseases are new infections or those whose incidence has significantly increased in recent decades.
Facts & tables
- Definition
- Diseases transmitted from animals to humans, often new or rapidly increasing in incidence.
- Causative Agent
- Viruses (e.g., Nipah, Avian Influenza), bacteria, parasites, fungi.
- Transmission Factors
- Human encroachment into wildlife habitats, consumption of contaminated food/water, direct contact with infected animals.
- Global Impact
- Potential for widespread outbreaks and pandemics, significant public health and economic burden.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Microbiology & Epidemiology |
| Conceptual area | Science & Technology |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Definition: Animal-to-human transmission.
- Drivers: Habitat encroachment, climate change.
- Examples: Nipah, Avian Influenza.
- Impact: Public health crises, pandemics.
- WHO role: Priority pathogen classification.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2019 | Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Factual recall |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Microbiology & Epidemiology
Conceptual area
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Science & Technology
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Primed to treat: On Kerala and Nipah
Zoonotic diseases are animal-to-human infections, often emerging due to ecological shifts. Nipah virus is a prime example, classified by WHO as a priority pathogen due to its lethality and pandemic potential. Understanding their drivers and transmission is crucial for global health security.
See also
Dashed boxes: related topics without a notes page yet. Tap a solid box to open notes.
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
Primed to treat: On Kerala and Nipah
Zoonotic diseases are animal-to-human infections, often emerging due to ecological shifts. Nipah virus is a prime example, classified by WHO as a priority pathogen due to its lethality and pandemic potential. Understanding their drivers and transmission is crucial for global health security.
Try these PYQs
With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements:
I. They are man-made proteins.
II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that target specific antigens and can be used to treat viral infections like Nipah virus. * ✅ I. Man-made proteins – Created by cloning a single immune cell type. * ✅II. Bind to specific antigens – Help stimulate or guide immune response. * ✅III. Used in viral infections – Applied in treating infections like Nipah virus. All three statements are correct.
H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?
Influenza (H1N1) virus is a subtype of influenza A virus that was the most common cause of human influenza (flu) in 2009 and is associated with the 1918 outbreak known as the Spanish Flu. It is an orthomyxovirus that contains the glycoproteins haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. For this reason, they are described as H1N1, H1N2 etc., depending on the type of H or N antigens they express with metabolic synergy. - Haemagglutinin causes red blood cells to clump together and binds the virus to the infected cell.
- Neuraminidase is a type of glycoside hydrolase enzyme which helps to move the virus particles through the infected cell and assist in budding from the host cells. In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new strain of swine-origin H1N1 as a pandemic. This strain is often called swine flu by the public media.
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?
Statement 1 is correct: The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that transmits the dengue virus in tropical and subtropical regions. Statement 2 is correct: While Zika virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, the virus can also be transmitted from person to person through sexual contact. Therefore, both the statements 1 and 2 are correct.
Consider the following statements:
I. No virus can survive in ocean waters.
II. No virus can infect bacteria.
III. No virus can change the cellular transcriptional activity in host cells.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Viruses can survive in oceans, infect bacteria, and alter host cell transcription. ❌Statement I: False. Viruses can survive in ocean waters, and marine viruses are highly abundant. ❌Statement II: False. Viruses can infect bacteria; for example, bacteriophages specifically infect bacteria. ❌Statement III: False. Viruses can alter host transcription and modify host gene expression. None of the statements are correct.
Among the following which was frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of the Ebola virus recently?
Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were in the news for the outbreak of the Ebola virus. The most widespread outbreak of the Ebola virus disease began in 2013 and continued until 2016, causing major loss of life and socio-economic disruption in the West African region, mainly in the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The first cases were recorded in Guinea in December 2013. Later, the disease spread to neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following:
1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
* Bacteria can be cultured and grown in various artificial culture media, such as nutrient broth, agar plates, or other specific media formulations. Bacteria can metabolize and utilize the nutrients provided in these synthetic culture media to grow and reproduce. * Fungi can also be cultured in artificial media, such as potato dextrose agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, or other specialized fungal growth media. Fungi can utilize the organic compounds and nutrients present in these synthetic media to support their growth and development. * Viruses, on the other hand, are obligate intracellular parasites and cannot be directly cultured in artificial or synthetic media. Viruses require living host cells to replicate and propagate, as they lack the necessary machinery for autonomous growth and reproduction.
Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing?
1. Chikungunya
2. Hepatitis B
3. HIV-AIDS
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
* Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that cannot be spread through tattooing. * Hepatitis B is a liver infection that can lead to liver failure and cancer. It's spread through contact with the blood, open sores, or body fluids of an infected person. * HIV is a virus that destroys the white blood cells responsible for fighting infections. It can result in AIDS, the final stage of infection. It spreads mainly through unprotected sex, sharing drug needles, or contact with infected blood.
Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?
1. Genetic predisposition of some people
2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases
3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming
4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is incorrect. While genetic factors can contribute to susceptibility to infections, they are not directly related to the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens. Statement 2 is correct. Incorrect use of antibiotics, including taking incorrect doses or not completing the full course of treatment, can contribute to the development of drug resistance in microbial pathogens. Statement 3 is correct. The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming can lead to the development of drug-resistant pathogens that can affect both animals and humans. Statement 4 is incorrect. While individuals with chronic diseases may be more susceptible to infections, this factor is not directly related to the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens.