Which of the following diseases has been eradicated from India?

MP CHO-2020

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO-2020

Explanation

This option correctly identifies a group of diseases that have been officially declared as eradicated or eliminated from India.
Smallpox was certified as eradicated from India in 1977.
Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) was certified as eliminated in 2000.
Polio was certified as eliminated from India by the WHO in March 2014.
Yaws was officially declared as eliminated from India in 2016.

Option A: This option is incorrect because Leprosy and Tuberculosis have not been eradicated from India. While leprosy is eliminated as a public health problem, cases still occur. Tuberculosis remains a major health concern.
Option B: This option is incorrect because Measles has not been eliminated from India. The country is still working towards the goal of measles elimination.
Option D: This option is incorrect because SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is not a disease that has been declared eradicated. It is a viral illness that is monitored, and outbreaks are contained, but it doesn't fit the classic definition of an eradicated disease in the same way as smallpox.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Disease Eradication and Elimination in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the difference between disease control, elimination, and eradication is fundamental for community health nurses to educate the public and implement health programs effectively.
Knowledge of eradicated diseases helps in recognizing that vaccination and public health initiatives are powerful tools that have successfully conquered major health threats.
Nurses play a vital role in surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases and reporting any suspected cases (like Acute Flaccid Paralysis for polio surveillance) to prevent re-emergence.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the keyword 'eradicated' in the context of India. This implies the disease has been completely removed from the country.
Read each option carefully and evaluate the status of every disease listed within that option.
Recall or use your knowledge of major public health achievements in India. Smallpox and Polio are well-known examples of eradication/elimination.
Eliminate options containing diseases that are known to still be prevalent in India, such as Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Measles.
Select the option where all listed diseases have been confirmed as eradicated or eliminated from India.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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