Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 31 January 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Red Cross voiced alarm Tuesday over the risk that fighting in the besieged DR Congo city of Goma could cause samples of Ebola and other pathogens held in a laboratory to escape.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is "very concerned about the situation in the laboratory of the national biomedical research institute, which is facing a risk of power cuts, as well as a question of preserving the samples that may be affected by the clashes", ICRC regional director for Africa Patrick Youssef said, warning of "unimaginable consequences if the (samples), including the Ebola virus, that it contains were to spread".
[Excerpt from The Economic Times"Red Cross Raises Alarm Over Ebola Risks in  Goma" Dated 31/01/25]

Q1: Why has the ICRC raised concerns about Ebola samples in Goma?
(a) The samples have been stolen
(b) Ongoing conflict may lead to power cuts, compromising the samples
(c) The samples were accidentally released into the environment
(d) The laboratory was destroyed in an earthquake

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: The ICRC warns that power outages due to conflict could compromise Ebola samples in a Goma laboratory.

Q2: What armed group is involved in the conflict in Goma?
(a) Boko Haram
(b) M23
(c) Al-Shabaab
(d) Lord’s Resistance Army

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Ans: (b)
Sol: The Tutsi-led M23 group is fighting in Goma, increasing regional instability.

Q3: What has been the impact of the conflict in Goma this year?
(a) Half a million people have been displaced
(b) The Ebola virus has spread
(c) A cure for Ebola was discovered
(d) Goma has been completely evacuated

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Ans: (a)
Sol: 500,000 people have been displaced due to ongoing violence in Goma.

Q4: Which species of ebolavirus is the most common cause of outbreaks?
(a) Taï Forest ebolavirus
(b) Sudan ebolavirus
(c) Bundibugyo ebolavirus
(d) Zaire ebolavirus

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Ans: (d)
Sol: Zaire ebolavirus is the most common and deadliest strain of Ebola.

Q5: How does Ebola virus disease (EVD) typically spread?
(a) Through the air like the flu
(b) From contaminated water sources
(c) From animals to humans, then human-to-human transmission
(d) Through insect bites

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: Ebola spreads from animals to humans and then through direct human contact.