Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
5) Discuss the etiology, transmission, signs, treatment and control of Nipah virus disease. Also highlight the role of National Centre for Disease Control in controlling various diseases.(250 words)
Why this question
Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans. With over 70% mortality rate, the disease has taken many lives in Kerala recently. The question is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to write at length about the Nipah virus disease- its cause, transmission, clinical signs, treatment and control. It also wants us to highlight the role NCDC in controlling various disease- in terms of its functions.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the Nipah virus disease- cause, transmission, signs, treatment and control.
Highlight- we have to briefly mention the key functions of NCDC and how it works in controlling various diseases.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention the cause of Nipah virus disease, its history along with first reporting in India and the recent epidemic in Kerala.
Body–
- Discuss the transmission- how the infection passes from one individual / animal to another; Clinical signs and mortality rate, its treatment and how to control the epidemic- before and after outbreak.
- Discuss the role of NCDC in controlling various communicable diseases in the country- e.g to provide expertise to the States and Union Territories (UTs) on rapid health assessment and laboratory based diagnostic services, Surveillance of communicable diseases and outbreak investigation etc.
Conclusion– Mention the growing importance of zoonotic diseases in India and highlight the importance of a robust animal and human healthcare system to handle them.
