UPSC Prelims 2010 Q127: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
Consider the following statements:
1. Every individual in the population is equally susceptible host for Swine Flu.
2. Antibiotics have no role in the primary treatment of Swine Flu.
3. To prevent the future spread of Swine Flu in the epidemic area, the swine (pigs) must all be
culled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Checking three claims about Swine Flu
Swine Flu (H1N1), a novel influenza strain, had specific epidemiological and treatment characteristics.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Every individual is equally susceptible | Correct | As a novel virus strain, the population had no pre-existing immunity, making everyone broadly, equally susceptible |
| 2. Antibiotics have no role in primary treatment | Correct | Swine Flu is a viral infection; antibiotics target bacteria, so they play no role in treating the virus itself (only used for secondary bacterial complications) |
| 3. Culling all swine is needed to prevent future spread | Incorrect | Swine Flu spreads primarily through human-to-human transmission; culling pigs is not an effective or necessary measure to control its spread among people |
Swine Flu facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Susceptibility | Universal (novel strain, no prior immunity) |
| Treatment | Antivirals, NOT antibiotics (for the virus itself) |
| Spread control | Human-to-human transmission control, not pig culling |
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Universal susceptibility and antibiotics' lack of role are both accurate; culling swine is not an effective spread-control measure.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 (universal susceptibility) is also correct, so '2 only' is incomplete.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3's culling claim is false, so '2 and 3 only' is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 is inaccurate, so 'all three' cannot be correct.
Key point
Swine Flu: everyone was equally susceptible (novel strain), and antibiotics play no role in its primary treatment (it's viral) — but culling swine is NOT needed, since spread is primarily human-to-human.
Remember
Swine Flu: universal susceptibility, no antibiotic role in primary treatment — but culling swine is NOT needed, since spread is human-to-human.
Common mistakes
- Assuming culling pigs would help control a primarily human-to-human spreading disease.
- Confusing a viral infection's treatment needs with bacterial-infection antibiotic treatment.
- Not recognising why novel virus strains lead to universally equal susceptibility.
Exam tip
Swine Flu spreads human-to-human — culling pigs is NOT the solution. Antibiotics never treat a virus directly.
Sources
- World Health Organization — Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: briefing note and clinical guidance
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India — Guidelines on Categorization of Influenza A H1N1 Cases (2009)