Which of the following diseases is a potential contender for worldwide eradication?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Polio.

• Polio, caused by the poliovirus, is one of the diseases that is a potential contender for worldwide eradication.
• Thanks to the global efforts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations through vaccination campaigns, the incidence of polio has drastically reduced.
• Polio eradication efforts have been largely successful, with most parts of the world now declared polio-free. The disease remains endemic only in a few countries.
• Complete eradication is achievable because the poliovirus only infects humans, and effective vaccines are available, meaning the virus cannot survive if vaccination coverage is thorough.

Information Booster:

Polio:

• A highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children, leading to paralysis in severe cases.
• The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has made significant strides in reducing polio cases worldwide.

Tuberculosis (TB):

• Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB is still a major global health challenge with a high burden in many countries.
• Eradication is difficult due to the complexity of TB transmission and the need for long-term treatment.

Measles:

• A highly contagious viral disease, preventable through vaccination. While significant progress has been made in reducing measles, eradication remains challenging due to the need for high vaccination coverage.

Malaria:

• Caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria eradication is complicated by factors like mosquito resistance to insecticides and parasite resistance to drugs.