Context:
WHO team arrived in Deeg, Rajasthan amidst rising cases of Diphtheria.
Diphtheria:
- Contagious infectious disease caused by bacteria
- Infects respiratory system and causes severe inflammation of the nose, throat, and trachea.
- Mainly affects children from newborns to 16 years of age.
- Transmission – Spread through respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing) or contact with infected open sores/ulcers.
- Treatment – Prevented by vaccines that are often given in combination with tetanus and pertussis, hepatitis B and inactivated polio.
- Covered under Universal Immunization Program in India and is given as Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP)
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP):
- Launched in 1978 as Expanded Immunisation Program
- Renamed as UIP in 1985 when reached beyond urban areas
- Provides free of cost against 12 vaccine preventable diseases –
- Nationally against 9 diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Hemophilus Influenza type B
- Sub-nationally against 3 diseases – Rotavirus diarrhoea, Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Japanese Encephalitis
- Major milestones – Elimination of polio in 2014
Read about Mission Indradhanush 5.0
Source: Times of India
Previous Year Question
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Viruses can infect
1. bacteria
2. fungi
3. plants
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
