#1
What is the basic reproduction number (R0) in epidemiology?
The average number of secondary infections produced by a single infected individual in a fully susceptible population
ExplanationQuantifies the potential for disease spread in a population through infected individuals.
#2
What is the incubation period of a disease?
The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms
ExplanationDuration between pathogen exposure and the appearance of disease symptoms.
#3
What is the primary purpose of quarantine during an epidemic?
To prevent the spread of disease by restricting the movement of people who may have been exposed to the disease
ExplanationRestricts movement of potentially exposed individuals to contain disease spread.
#4
What is the primary goal of vaccination in the context of infectious diseases?
To prevent the spread of diseases by inducing immunity in the population
ExplanationPromotes immunity to hinder disease transmission within the population.
#5
Which of the following best describes herd immunity?
The resistance of a group to attack by a disease to which a large proportion of the members are immune
ExplanationProtection of a community against a disease when a significant portion is immune.
#6
What role do vectors play in the transmission of infectious diseases?
They transmit the pathogen from one host to another without getting infected
ExplanationVectors facilitate disease transmission between hosts without being infected themselves.
#7
Which of the following diseases is known for its seasonal pattern of occurrence?
Influenza
ExplanationExhibits regular seasonal peaks in its incidence.
#8
What is a zoonotic disease?
A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans
ExplanationInfections originating in animals and transmitted to humans.
#9
What is 'antigenic shift' in the context of influenza viruses?
A significant change in influenza virus antigens that results in a new subtype
ExplanationMajor alteration in influenza virus antigens leading to the emergence of a new subtype.
#10
In the context of epidemiological modeling, what does the 'SIR' model stand for?
Susceptible, Infected, Recovered
ExplanationCategorizes individuals in a population as susceptible, infected, or recovered to model disease dynamics.
#11
Which of the following factors does not affect the spread of infectious diseases?
Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita
ExplanationEconomic indicator unrelated to the transmission of infectious diseases.
#12
In epidemiology, what is a 'case-fatality rate'?
The proportion of individuals diagnosed with a certain disease who die from that disease
ExplanationPercentage of diagnosed cases resulting in death for a specific disease.
#13
What is the significance of 'contact tracing' in controlling the spread of infectious diseases?
It is a process of identifying, assessing, and managing people who have been exposed to a disease to prevent onward transmission
ExplanationCritical for identifying and managing potential disease carriers to prevent further spread.
#14
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'R naught' (R0) under conditions of partial immunity in the population?
It decreases as the level of immunity in the population increases
ExplanationReduction in R0 with increased population immunity, influencing disease transmission.