Question

Assertion (A): The term 'Eradication' means termination of all transmissions of infection.

Reason (R): It involves complete destruction of the infective agent.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false.
• D. A is false but R is true.

Hint:

Think about what has to happen to an agent for transmission to stop everywhere for good.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question is about the exact meaning of the word eradication in public health, and whether the given reason explains it correctly. Let's check each option.

1. Both A and R true, R explains A: The assertion matches the accepted definition, eradication means transmission of the infection has stopped completely, everywhere, for good. The reason matches how this is achieved: the infective agent is removed from nature entirely, so it has no way left to spread. Since the agent is gone, transmission cannot continue. This option fits.
2. Both true, R does not explain A: This would apply only if the two facts were both correct but not connected. Here they are directly connected, so this option does not fit.
3. A true, R false: This fails because the reason is also a correct statement about eradication, not a false one.
4. A false, R true: This fails because the assertion itself is the standard, accepted definition of eradication, so it cannot be false.

Smallpox is the clearest real world case. Once the virus stopped circulating anywhere in nature, humanity declared it eradicated, and vaccination could stop. That shows destruction of the agent is what allows transmission to end everywhere.

Let's summarize:

• Eradication is defined as zero transmission worldwide, permanently.
• This is only possible once the infective agent itself has been wiped out from nature.

So both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.