Prevention and control of communicable diseases — cholera, SARS, Ebola, and influenza — is essential knowledge for B.Pharm students. This overview links microbiology, epidemiology, pharmacotherapy, vaccination, infection control, and public-health strategies such as surveillance, outbreak investigation, personal protective equipment, sanitation, and antimicrobial stewardship. Understanding pathogen biology (Vibrio, coronavirus, filovirus, orthomyxovirus), modes of transmission, diagnostics, vaccines, antivirals and supportive care enables pharmacists to contribute to outbreak response, rational drug use, vaccine cold chain management, and community education. Practical competencies include case detection, isolation, disinfection, ORS therapy, and reporting. These MCQs emphasize prevention, clinical recognition, therapeutics, and public-health interventions relevant to pharmacy practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which organism is the primary cause of epidemic cholera worldwide?
- Escherichia coli O157:H7
- Vibrio cholerae O1
- Salmonella typhi
- Clostridium difficile
Correct Answer: Vibrio cholerae O1
Q2. The main life-saving outpatient therapy for severe cholera-induced dehydration is:
- Intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics
- Oral rehydration solution (ORS) with appropriate electrolytes
- Antiemetic monotherapy
- High-dose vitamin A supplementation
Correct Answer: Oral rehydration solution (ORS) with appropriate electrolytes
Q3. Which serogroups of Vibrio cholerae are most commonly associated with epidemic cholera?
- O157 and O26
- O1 and O139
- H5 and H7
- K1 and K2
Correct Answer: O1 and O139
Q4. The primary mode of transmission for Ebola virus in outbreaks is:
- Airborne dissemination over long distances
- Vectors such as mosquitoes
- Direct contact with infected bodily fluids
- Contaminated water supply
Correct Answer: Direct contact with infected bodily fluids
Q5. Which vaccine platform is used in the licensed rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine?
- Inactivated whole-virus vaccine
- Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector expressing Ebola glycoprotein
- Live attenuated measles vector
- mRNA encoding Ebola nucleoprotein
Correct Answer: Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector expressing Ebola glycoprotein
Q6. A key infection-control measure to prevent SARS transmission in health-care settings is:
- Routine use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for all patients
- Droplet and contact precautions with appropriate PPE, including N95 for aerosol-generating procedures
- Prophylactic antiviral therapy for all staff
- Environmental spraying with antibiotics
Correct Answer: Droplet and contact precautions with appropriate PPE, including N95 for aerosol-generating procedures
Q7. Which diagnostic test is most appropriate for confirming acute SARS infection?
- Blood culture for bacteria
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for viral RNA
- ELISA for viral IgG only
- Urine antigen test
Correct Answer: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for viral RNA
Q8. Antiviral drugs useful for treatment or prophylaxis of seasonal influenza belong primarily to which class?
- Neuraminidase inhibitors
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Protease inhibitors
- Integrase inhibitors
Correct Answer: Neuraminidase inhibitors
Q9. Antigenic shift in influenza viruses results in:
- Minor yearly changes in surface proteins
- Sudden major genetic reassortment producing novel subtypes that can cause pandemics
- Inactivation by the immune system
- Reduced viral replication fitness only
Correct Answer: Sudden major genetic reassortment producing novel subtypes that can cause pandemics
Q10. In cholera outbreak control, the role of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) includes:
- Replacing all water and sanitation interventions
- Providing short- to medium-term population protection when combined with WASH measures
- Being effective as a single lifelong dose without boosters
- Treating active cholera cases immediately
Correct Answer: Providing short- to medium-term population protection when combined with WASH measures
Q11. Which is the most appropriate decontamination method for surfaces contaminated with Ebola virus in a clinical area?
- Wiping with dry cloth only
- Use of EPA-registered hospital disinfectants with proven activity against non-enveloped viruses
- Use of soap and water without disinfectant
- Application of ultraviolet light only without cleaning
Correct Answer: Use of EPA-registered hospital disinfectants with proven activity against non-enveloped viruses
Q12. The basic reproduction number (R0) represents:
- The time from infection to symptom onset
- The average number of secondary cases generated by one primary case in a susceptible population
- The proportion of asymptomatic infections
- The efficacy of a vaccine
Correct Answer: The average number of secondary cases generated by one primary case in a susceptible population
Q13. Which supportive treatment reduces mortality in severe cholera by restoring intravascular volume rapidly?
- Antiviral therapy
- Intravenous crystalloid fluids
- Oral zinc supplementation alone
- High-dose corticosteroids
Correct Answer: Intravenous crystalloid fluids
Q14. Which statement about SARS-CoV (SARS) transmission dynamics is correct?
- Peak infectiousness occurs before symptom onset
- Transmission is primarily via respiratory droplets and contact, with peak infectiousness around the time of symptom onset
- It is exclusively transmitted by arthropod vectors
- It spreads only through contaminated food
Correct Answer: Transmission is primarily via respiratory droplets and contact, with peak infectiousness around the time of symptom onset
Q15. Which of the following is a recommended public-health intervention to control influenza spread in community settings?
- Universal antibiotic prophylaxis
- Annual influenza vaccination and respiratory hygiene measures
- Complete closure of all pharmacies
- Eating fermented foods to boost immunity
Correct Answer: Annual influenza vaccination and respiratory hygiene measures
Q16. For Ebola virus disease, ring vaccination strategy targets:
- The entire national population regardless of exposure
- Close contacts and contacts of contacts around confirmed cases to form a protective ring
- Only health-care workers in unrelated regions
- Only wildlife reservoirs
Correct Answer: Close contacts and contacts of contacts around confirmed cases to form a protective ring
Q17. Which laboratory finding is most characteristic of severe Ebola infection?
- Profound leukocytosis with eosinophilia
- Coagulopathy with elevated D-dimer and thrombocytopenia
- Isolated hyperglycemia only
- High-level bacteremia with gram-positive cocci
Correct Answer: Coagulopathy with elevated D-dimer and thrombocytopenia
Q18. Which practice helps maintain vaccine potency in outbreak response managed by pharmacists?
- Storing vaccines at any cool place without monitoring
- Strict cold chain management with temperature monitoring and trained staff
- Freezing all vaccine types to prolong life
- Exposing vaccines to sunlight to disinfect
Correct Answer: Strict cold chain management with temperature monitoring and trained staff
Q19. A pharmacist advising on prophylaxis for influenza exposure should know that neuraminidase inhibitors work by:
- Blocking viral entry into the nucleus
- Inhibiting release of progeny virions from infected cells
- Destroying viral RNA directly
- Neutralizing host antibodies
Correct Answer: Inhibiting release of progeny virions from infected cells
Q20. Which environmental intervention is most important to prevent cholera transmission in a community?
- Improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) measures
- Use of insecticide-treated nets
- Indoor air filtration systems
- Mass distribution of antidiarrheal herbs
Correct Answer: Improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) measures
Q21. In outbreak investigation, the first step typically taken by public-health teams is:
- Implementing mass vaccination immediately
- Establishing case definition and confirming diagnosis
- Issuing travel bans
- Distributing antibiotics to all households
Correct Answer: Establishing case definition and confirming diagnosis
Q22. Which feature distinguishes Ebola virus disease from typical influenza clinically?
- Presence of respiratory symptoms
- Tendency to cause hemorrhagic manifestations and multiorgan failure in severe cases
- Only mild, self-limited fever
- Seasonal occurrence only during winter
Correct Answer: Tendency to cause hemorrhagic manifestations and multiorgan failure in severe cases
Q23. Which statement about antimicrobial stewardship during viral outbreaks is correct?
- Antibiotics should be empirically given to all viral infection cases
- Stewardship helps prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance while treating secondary bacterial infections appropriately
- Antimicrobial resistance is not relevant during outbreaks
- All antivirals can be freely combined with multiple antibiotics
Correct Answer: Stewardship helps prevent unnecessary antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance while treating secondary bacterial infections appropriately
Q24. Which is a key pharmacologic option with proven benefit in certain Ebola outbreaks?
- Monoclonal antibody therapies such as REGN-EB3 and mAb114
- High-dose penicillin therapy
- Neuraminidase inhibitors
- Prolonged corticosteroid monotherapy
Correct Answer: Monoclonal antibody therapies such as REGN-EB3 and mAb114
Q25. For influenza surveillance, which data source is most useful to detect early community spread?
- Hospital bed occupancy for non-respiratory conditions
- Syndromic surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) in outpatient clinics
- Monthly dental clinic visits
- Annual census data only
Correct Answer: Syndromic surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) in outpatient clinics
Q26. Rice-based ORS compared to standard WHO ORS has been associated with:
- Increased stool output and prolonged dehydration
- Reduced stool volume and faster recovery in acute cholera in some studies
- No effect on hydration status
- Higher risk of electrolyte imbalance requiring dialysis
Correct Answer: Reduced stool volume and faster recovery in acute cholera in some studies
Q27. The incubation period range typically associated with Ebola virus disease is:
- 1–24 hours
- 2–21 days
- 6–12 months
- Minutes to 1 hour
Correct Answer: 2–21 days
Q28. In pharmacy practice during an outbreak, risk communication should prioritize:
- Technical jargon to maintain authority
- Clear, accurate, and actionable messages tailored to the audience
- Spreading unverified rumors to reduce panic
- Withholding information until the outbreak ends
Correct Answer: Clear, accurate, and actionable messages tailored to the audience
Q29. Which laboratory biosafety measure is essential when handling samples suspected of SARS coronavirus?
- Processing in a biological safety cabinet with appropriate containment and PPE
- Opening specimen tubes in an open bench without PPE
- Using only hand hygiene without gloves
- Heating samples over an open flame
Correct Answer: Processing in a biological safety cabinet with appropriate containment and PPE
Q30. In planning mass vaccination against cholera in an endemic area, pharmacists should ensure:
- Cold chain, accurate record-keeping, trained vaccinators, and integration with WASH activities
- Distribution of vaccines without informed consent or documentation
- Using only expired but refrigerated vaccine stocks
- Vaccinating without community engagement or education
Correct Answer: Cold chain, accurate record-keeping, trained vaccinators, and integration with WASH activities
