UPSC Prelims 2015 – Question 17

by Edukemy Team April 24, 2024

Table of Contents

Q: Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?

a) Syria and Jordan

b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia

c) Philippines and Papua New Guinea

d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam

Formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal illness affecting humans and other primates. 
It is transmitted to people from wild animals (such as fruit bats, porcupines and non-human primates) and then spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. 
The average Ebola virus disease case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. 
The first Ebola virus disease outbreaks occurred in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests. 
The 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than in all others combined.
It causes haemorrhagic fever was detected on 23 March 2014 in Guinea. More than 80 persons have been detected to have been infected with the Ebola virus. Out of this 59 people from Sierra Leone and Liberia have died. This marks the first time an outbreak among humans has been detected. Hence, Option 2 is correct.

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